PUCK THAT

in relief on Friday, he stopped 37 of 38 shots, including seven across four Winnipeg power plays.

Brady Skjei set up Jimmy Vesey’s game-winning goal with 3:53 left with a wide shot that went off Vesey’s chest and in. Vesey returned after missing the previous three games with a concussion.

“We’ve had a lot of good emotions in the locker room the last few days,” Skjei said. “Just got to keep that energy.”

Trade candidate Michael Grabner sealed the game with his seventh emptynet goal of the season, which is tied with Mario Lemieux for the third-most in a single season; Pavel Bure had nine during the 1999-2000 season. Mats Zuccarello’s first-period equalizer snapped a 21-game goal-less drought.

New call-ups John Gilmour and Neal Pionk have fit in well over their first two NHL games and have seemed to provide some spark with Ryan McDonagh (upper-body) and Marc Staal (cervical strain) out.

“I love the way they’re playing,” Lundqvist said. “Two young guys coming up here, confident, skating really well and crisp passing. I think all our ‘D’ has stepped up here with a couple of guys out, and we need it.”

Of course, the Blueshirts were dealt another injury blow as backup goaltender Ondrej Pavelec will miss two-tothree weeks with a sprained MCL. Vigneault said Pavelec, who left Friday’s game after the first period, probably would’ve started Sunday.

Pavelec spent the first 10 years of his NHL career with the Thrashers/Jets franchise, which had prepared a video tribute in anticipation of Pavelec’s return.

The Rangers pulled to within two points of a playoff spot after the Islanders lost to the Flames later Sunday night. After weeks and weeks of poor play, there’s finally a good feeling in the Rangers’ dressing room.

“When you win, everything looks brighter,” Vigneault said. “But at the end of the day, what we’re doing with our guys is keeping them in hockey mode.”