Wednesdays are commonly referred to as ‘Hump Day.’ And on this particular ‘Hump Day,’ the NY Rangers were hoping to get over a significant hump of their own. After an exhilarating and exhausting game against the Islanders on Tuesday night in which the Rangers prevailed 2-1 in the final regular season game between the two at the Nassau Coliseum, the Rangers were back in action for their third game in four nights on Wednesday, against yet another long-time division rival, the Washington Capitals. The Rangers entered the evening with a chance to vault themselves into a share of the top overall playoff seed in the Eastern Conference and the League as a whole, dependent on the outcome of a match-up between the Anaheim Ducks and Calgary Flames out west.
Rangers Vault to Top of NHL Standings
The Rangers would be a tired team, arriving in Washington DC, in the wee hours of the morning on Wednesday, but were well aware of what was at stake. Coach Alain Vigneault and Rangers players all talked about a desire to get the job done but were also aware of and voiced their concerns about containing the League’s leading goal scorer, Alexander Ovechkin, who entered the night with 44 goals. The Capitals have also been having a resurgent season under the tutelage of new head coach, Barry Trotz, entering the night with 82 points (36-21-10), good for fourth place in the Metropolitan Division and the first wild card playoff spot in the East.
Despite their late night, the Rangers came out strong in the game, controlling the play and jumping out to an early lead on a rebound goal by Carl Hagelin. The Capitals would appear to settle down though, tying the game on a power play goal from whom else but, Mr. Ovechkin, mid-way through the first period. The Rangers answered back with a JT Miller wrist shot late in the period sending the game into the 2nd with the Rangers up 2-1. The Capitals failed to convert on a five on three man advantage to start the second and from there on out the teams played back and forth, chippy hockey, with neither team able to dominate the other for extended periods of time. The third period saw heavy pressure from the Capitals, but in the end the Rangers, and goalie, Cam Talbot (28 saves), were able to hold on for a 3-1 victory, courtesy of a late quick break goal from the struggling Marty St. Louis.
Of note, is Rangers defenseman, Kevin Klein, who left the game after injuring his left arm blocking an Ovechkin shot with under a minute to play. The Rangers declined to elaborate, saying only that he would be sent for X-rays and an update would be given on Thursday.
After the win, the Rangers, now 42-17-7, with 91 points on the season, own sole possession of first place in the Metropolitan Division, a share of the lead for the Eastern Conference crown, and thanks to a Ducks loss, are now also tied for the lead in the race for the NHL’s Presidents’ Trophy, awarded to the team with the best regular season record in the League, securing them with home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs.
This is the first time all season that the Rangers have held the division lead, as a slow start and early season injuries to center, Derick Stepan, and defensemen Dan Boyle and Ryan McDonagh, put a damper on their play. Since mid-December though the team has really turned it on, owning the best record in the League since that time. The Rangers are also in a good position with three games in hand on the Islanders (90 Points), one game in hand on the Canadiens (91 points), two games in hand on the Lightening (90 points), three games in hand on the Ducks and two games in hand on the Predators (each with 91 points).
The Rangers have now attained at least one point in 18 of their last 20 games going 15-2-3, with all but one of those games being played without goaltender, Henrik Lundquist, who continues to be sidelined with a vascular injury. He has yet to receive medical clearance for full contact from doctors but optimistic reports have him possibly making a return next week in Carolina against the Hurricanes. Rangers backup Cam Talbot has been superb between the pipes his absence however. Over the eight games prior to last night, Talbot had gone 6-1-1 with a 1.61 Goals against average, a .946 save percentage and two shutouts. He also earned the League’s third-star of the week for his outstanding play last week.
The Rangers will conclude their season-long five game road trip on Saturday in Buffalo before returning home to New York for a pair of games against the Florida Panthers and Chicago Blackhawks. The Rangers though, will have to continue to play at the top of their game if they hope to remain atop the League standings, as 11 out of their final 15 games will be against playoff teams or desperate teams sitting on the playoff bubble.
There is no doubt that the Rangers are thinking Stanley Cup, having made the biggest splash at the NHL’s trading deadline, and playing their best hockey of the season at the right time of the year. The final standings and playoff picture should remain tight throughout the rest of March and early April, ensuring must-watch hockey from fans of both conferences, but for the Rangers and their fans, the hump that they were able to finally overcome on this, ‘Hump Day,’ should be enjoyed, even if only for the next 24 hours.
