New York Determined to Make the Second Season!

After heading into the final session 1-0 against the Florida Panthers the Rangers record on the season was 0-24-2 when going into the third period trailing. They could never over come any goal deficit and would take the loss. Two points earned out of 26 games down a goal or more.

That wasn't the case in Florida against the Panthers. Marc Staal wasted no time to even the score at one just :18 into the infamous period for the Rangers when trailing. Staal's goal would be his third straight game he has produced a lamp lighter for the blue shirts. Staal's goal started from the Rangers end when he drove up the rink though traffic gained the zone and released a sharp wrister that beat Panthers goalie Scott Clemmenson.

Brandon Purst would give the Rangers their first lead of the game at 9:36 then the Captain Chris Dury would succeed 1:30 later to give the Rangers a strong 3-1 lead.

Especially the way Hendrik Lundqvist was playing or has been playing the King made many big saves early on in the contest to keep the scoreless until the Panthers got on the board in the second on a defensemans Keith Ballard's slap shot that beat Lundqvist hit the cross bar and dropped in.

Getting goals from Brandon Purst and Staal have really helped the Rangers on this current tear. 5-0-1 in their last six, getting a possible 11 points out of 12.

The play of late has put them in a tie for the final playoff spot with the Philadelphia Flyers. Both teams have 82 points but the Flyers hold the tie breaker because they have more wins. The Rangers are also only two points behind the Boston Bruins and four points behind Montreal Canadians.

The Rangers, Bruins and Flyers all have four games left with Montreal and Atlanta having three. Right don't forget about Atlanta who trials the Rangers only by one but their hill will be the tuffest to climb.

The Rangers next two games are against the Sabers and the Maple Leafs, followed up by the final two games of the regular season round one of the playoffs against the Flyers.

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