Howard Simmons/New York Daily News
Right wing Ryan Callahan knows Rangers wil only go as far as power play and penalty kill units will take them,.
No matter how many games the Rangers win during the regular season and theyve won enough of them to remain atop the Eastern Conference for months they know it will take something special to carry that achievement over into postseason play.
The Rangers continue to lead the Penguins (47-24-6) by five points in the Atlantic Division after Isl anders beat Pittsburgh, 5-3, on two Kyle Okposo goals Thursday night at Nassau Coliseum.
Our special teams need to be great in the playoffs for us to have success, captain Ryan Callahan told reporters after Wednesdays 4-2 win in Winnipeg.
Even after netting two goals with a man-advantage and adding a shorthanded score by Michael Del Zotto against the Jets, the Blueshirts entered Thursday nights action ranked 28th on the power play at 14.7.
John Tortorella talked before Wednesdays game about adding defenseman Anton Stralman to the first power-play unit, but he instead replaced Dan Girardi with center Derek Stepan on one of the points alongside Del Zotto.
I thought when we used Step at the point, and the puck movement of our power play, I thought really helped us, Tortorella said after the game. (Brad Richards) made some really good plays down on the corner, on the half wall. I thought Step brought a different level of patience to our power play , and everybody contributed as far as the puck movement. And we find a way to score a couple, which is going to be important, so hopefully we can grow off it.
The Rangers spotted Winnipeg two early goals, but Callahan set up Del Zottos shortie and then tied the score with a power-play wrister late in the second period.
At the time youre just trying to work and create something and get a goal. I think we built off that, Callahan said. Anytime you get a shorthanded goal it gives you momentum and gives you energy on the bench.
I felt after that we started to take the game over. Our power play had two big goals, where its been lacking lately. It was good a game all around for us.
The Rangers (49-21-7) didnt practice Thursday after winning on back-to-back nights in Minnesota and Winnipeg, but they are likely to start the same way on the power play when they return home Friday to face Montreal.
ERIXON DEMOTED
Rookie defenseman < b>Tim Erixon was sent back to AHL Connecticut. He had two assists in five games since he was recalled March 17.
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