Hurtn' Hank Handles Canes

Ouch, that one hurt. Seeing the King writhing in pain in the goal crease for several minutes after taking a wicked shot to the throat, was a fright night sight. But, it was all okay, it was only a flesh wound. After a few minutes the King bounced up, got his wind back, and then sucked the air out of the Hurricanes. Rangers win 4-1. Just another day at the office for Lundqvist, right? Not too bad, if your job required you to take a karate chop to the wind pipe and then perform at the highest level. What can we say? Hank, we are way not worthy.

Aside from Hank's heroics, the Rangers decided to provide their King with some offensive support. The Harvard boy, Dominic Moore (4), showed a super sweet deke move on the Ranger's second goal. McDonagh had the assist. It was an impressive short-handed goal, and eventual game winner, that was so out of character you did a double take. That was Dominic Moore? No way. It was like a tackle eligible play in the NFL, where your offensive tackle grabs a one-handed touchdown pass. Nice job out of you Mr. Moore.

Rick Nash (29) continued to steam roll through this season, with the team's first goal. It was unassisted, softee that the Carolina keeper, Cam Ward, just waved at. Thank you very much Mr. Ward.

The Boston College connection Kevin Hayes to Chris Kreider (11), scored the Rangers third goal. Mats Zuccarello had the second assist. This was an important goal, with implications beyond the outcome of this game. Let's pray that Coach AV gives us more of this line combination. If the Rangers are going to play smurfs like Zuccarello and St. Louis, they need to be teamed up with size and strength. Chris Kreider (6'3", 226lbs) and Kevin Hayes (6'5", 225lbs) provide the counterweight to balance a creative shifty smurf like Mats Zuccarello (5'7", 179lbs). Is this the recipe for a strong second half? Cook some more please Mr. Vigneault.

Hobbits + large humans = victory

The Rangers' fourth goal, Dan Boyle (5) from Hagelin and Fast, 21 seconds after Kreider's goal closed the door and gave Lundqvist his 333rd career win. This puts him in a tie with Nikolai Khabibulin for 20th on the NHL’s all-time wins list.

ICINGS:  Did Lundqvist have mixed feelings about being left off the All-Star roster? Disappointed that he was not selected, but not that upset that he was spared the goalie roast. If you are an All-Star quality goalie, why go to a goal festival? It's not a game. They put an apple in the goalie's mouth, tie him to a spit, and then slow roast him in front of the world? How does that help your confidence and self esteem?

via SNY Rangers:
How the lines ended up shaking out last night -- In the middle of last night’s game against the Hurricanes, Alain Vigneault changed up the lines so that they were:

• Rick Nash, Derek Stepan, Marty St. Louis
• Chris Kreider, Kevin Hayes, Mats Zuccarello
• Carl Hagelin, Derick Brassard, Jesper Fast
• Tanner Glass, Dominic Moore, JT Miller

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