Rangers Vs. Bruins: Moving Up The Metro Ladder

- Those aren't just a huge two points because it's against the Bruins, who are in a wild card position and jockeying with the Rangers for a playoff position. They're also a huge two points because the Rangers are now two points out of first place in the Metro (with two games in hand) but because that's a quality team the Rangers took two points from.

- The Rangers got off to a red-hot start, cooled off a bit and then found a way to take control of the game again. I still don't love the team's tendency to sit back on a lead in the third period, especially with all the final minute chaos it generated, but it got the job done.

- Maybe the Rangers should practice scoring on an empty net this week.

- Rick Nash scored another goal and added an assist. I joked about it on Twitter, but Nash assists are like sighting a rare white elk. That's not to insinuate he hasn't been good, obviously. It's tough to grab apples when you're the only one scoring goals, but it's funny to see him with 32 goals and 16 assists. I mean, what more can you say about Nash at this point? He and Henrik Lundqvist are probably even in the "Rangers wouldn't be here without him" file, and that's the first time in a long time someone's been sitting there with Hank.

- Speaking of Hank, Cam Talbot did pretty well, no? Talbot is built for this team in a lot of ways, but the biggest is his ability to stickhandle. He is, essentially, a sixth man with the puck who can help transition it up to the speedy wingers or get it out of the zone. Plus, he backstopped the Rangers to a really big win. So, yeah, he's good between the pipes, too.

- Much better from Martin St. Louis. That's good vision to see Nash streaking and a better pass to hit him on the tape. Maybe this helps jump start him a little. Quick tangent: For as much as St. Louis has slumped this year (and some of it was him playing center) he still has 37 points in 49 games. For St. Louis it's not normal, but it's not exactly horrible.

- Another fantastic game by Chris Kreider. Used his speed to make things happen and pushed the puck all night. Was physical and had an assist. Mats Zuccarello put together another great game, too (and also notched an assist). Derick Brassard scored a goal and Derek Stepan added one, too. Basically the secondary scoring has come through for the Rangers two games in a row.

- Ryan McDonagh hasn't been Ryan McDonagh almost all year. There's concerns, of course, although I still maintain there's a few "out of his control" things impacting his game. Dan Girardi hasn't exactly been as good as he was last year, and I think McDonagh is trying to do too much. Still, some of those unforced turnovers are tough to watch.

- I thought Marc Staal was really good. And I didn't hate Klein's game, either. Klein, by the way, racked up his 10th assist on the season for 18 points total. His career high is 21 points (with 17 assists) so Klein has actually sort of racked up the helpers before. Just not the goals (eight goals is double his career high).

- Power play still had issues, and the penalty kill was really good (although it also had its moments of pure terror too). Special teams was a big part of the Rangers 13-game streak and then it seemed to fall off a little. Need to improve that.

- I tried hard not to talk about you know who, and I did a pretty good job so I'll keep this quick. On for a goal against (lost his man) and was on the ice for 15 shots against and only four shots for. Yeah, not good. It's OK though, because Lee Stempniak is going to sit for J.T. Miller next game. (This will happen, but it's sarcasm that I'm happy you know who isn't sitting.)

- As George said: "It's a damn shame the Rangers aren't big enough to beat the Bruins."

Thoughts?