The Rangers had their way with the non-playoff Minnesota Wild, and eased past them with a business-like 3-2 win. The Rangers played their hard hitting East coast brand of hockey and Minnesota played something else. The something else did not do so well.
The Rangers had 30 recorded hits. The Wild had 12 hits. That statistic in a nutshell tells the story of who wanted this game more. The Rangers are on a mission. The Wild are on a countdown.
You know a team is hurting for scoring when they play Erik Christensen for 11:24, and see 1 shot, no hits, and 1 giveaway from the former Ranger. It is hardly surprising to see that level of performance from Christensen, especially when he is all motivated to play his old team.
It actually was very good to see Jed Ortmeyer throwing himself around. He had 1 shot, 2 hits, and 1 blocked shot in 8:29 of ice time. Keep it going Jed, and maybe Blair Betts is smiling somewhere too.
Notes and Rehashes:
The first Wild PP goal ended up coming on a 5-on-3, after Callahan broke his stick. I think the players should use special heavy duty sticks when they are on the PK. I see too many broken sticks and a team put at a big disadvantage, because these guys are playing with composite twigs. Come on, get an old school wooden stick in your mitts, or something heavy duty, if you are going out on the PK to block shots, etc. How many short-handed goals do you really score in a season? Get rid of the twig, go with some lumber! #NoTwigsOnPK
Unfortunately, the Rangers 4th line has become a total non-factor. The players on the 4th line: Prust (9:12), Rupp (7:19), and Michell (7:17), each got over 7 minutes of even strength ice time. However, they only had a total of 3 shots, 4 hits and 1 block, between them. Brian Boyle all by himself in 17:01 of ice time had 1 goal, 6 shots, 5 hits, and 1 block. Putting Rupp on a line is the kiss of death. He brings nothing to the offense. It is grating to think how having the "Grate One," Avery, on a 4th line with Prust and Mitchell would at least make them an offensive threat. Now, their mission seems to be to just prevent the other team from scoring. #WhatAWaste
Brad Richards (9 of 13) and Brian Boyle (10 of 15) combined to win 19 of their 28 faceoffs. That is a 67.85% winning percentage, which is outstanding. The Rangers as a team won 29 (59%), the Wild won 20. Did you ever notice how 6'-7" Boyle, most of the time, gets his hands and stick lower than his opponent on the faceoff? #LowBoyle
The power play was again powerless, going 0-4. We all know this is the Achilles' heel that will humble our heroes in the playoffs. #Resignation #NothingCanBeDone
So if the Rangers' power play is not working the other special team, the penalty kill, is holding up? #Wrong. Minnesota went 2-for-2 on their PP.
Lundqvist stopped 24 of 26 shots. Lundqvist's .923 save percentage for the game and 2 goals against actually hurt his season averages. Blues goalie Brian Elliott has passed Lundqvist in 3 of the 4 goalie statistical categories. Lundqvist still has played more games (57), to Elliott's 36, and has many more wins, 36, to 23 for Elliott. Therefore, I think Lundqvist still looks to be the favorite for the Vezina Trophy. But, a couple more low scoring wins should seal the deal. I think we can expect The King to make a strong final push. #RoyalFinish
Scoring Summary:
| G | Per | Time | Str | Team | Goal Scorer | Assist | Assist |
| 1 | 1 | 11:23 | EV | NYR | Boyle(8) | Dubinsky(22) | Stralman(15) |
| 2 | 2 | 03:05 | PP | MIN | Brodziak(20) | Clutterbuck(11) | Scandella(7) |
| 3 | 2 | 07:58 | EV | NYR | Gaborik(38) | Richards(36) | McDonagh(22) |
| 4 | 2 | 11:52 | PP | MIN | Koivu(11) | Heatley(27) | Setoguchi(15) |
| 5 | 3 | 13:37 | EV | NYR | Fedotenko(9) | McDonagh(23) | Girardi(22) |
Blueshirts United:
You'll immediately notice that this Broadway Hat photo features a cameo appearance by none other than Rangers forward Artem Anisimov. Look to the right of Anisimov and you will see the player that the team awarded its postgame honor after a 3-2 victory over the Wild. Forward Brian Boyle sparked the Blueshirts on Tuesday night, scoring the game's first goal at 11:23 of the opening period. It was his eighth goal of the season, his second in the past three games, and third in the month of March. He was also on the ice for Ruslan Fedotenko's third-period game-winner, and won 10 of his 15 faceoffs. This is Boyle's third Broadway Hat of the season, as he also earned it on Jan 14 and March 1.
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