Rangers Win 4th Straight

After beginning a six game home stand with two losses, and after beginning the season in a general state of malaise and disappointment, the Rangers won their fourth straight game on Sunday. 

The Ranger win over the Winnipeg Jets, their second win over the new/old franchise, was everything that this Rangers winning streak has been.  The Broadway Blue Shirts played tough defensively, played with an offensive potency that hasn't been seen lately, played disciplined hockey and made their opponent pay when they didn't.  In today's game, Derek Stepan scored on a power play in the second period - the first goal of the game.  Marion Gaborik added a pair of goals in the third, including an empty netter, and Martin Biron took advantage of excellent defense in front of him, turning in a shut-out.  3-0 Win.

This was just the latest in a string of games that saw the Rangers improving on their poor start.  In the four game winning streak the Rangers have scored 14 goals (and one "goal" via a shoot out win), and held their opponents to just six.  They've given up only eleven power-play opportunities in those games, while being the recipient of 24 such chances.  They've converted on those opportunities in three of four games - not the best percentage, but a drastic improvement over the embarrassment their power play had been.

Despite injuries, and despite the slow start, the Rangers finally seem to be showing the promise that had many Ranger fans excited about the season.  Finally building momentum, and finally through a six game home stand the Rangers will head to Ottawa on Wednesday to take on a Senators team that beat them just over a week ago.