Late to the party here, but I actually think this win was a big one for this team.
13-9-2 instead of 12-10-2, a good response after losing at home to Ottawa (again) in a game where i'm sure they thought they could have gotten a point out of.
5 out of the last 6, keep the points rollin in. On the road, solid effort. Richards gets a goal, they get contributions from all over the lineup. Stepan continues to produce. Good 60 minute effort. PP scores again (was that one-timer?! OH MY). Biron comes in cold and does it again.
This team, while not sexy is getting the job done. Sure there are holes and i'm hoping Staal comes back soon (because they really need him) but they needed to take advantage of the stretch of games against weaker opponents and they have. Albeit Washington is pretty terrible right now, but its nice to see that they got a 4th late in the third and didnt stop.
The Rangers have to start building a killer instinct and get up multiple goals on teams and i think this game helped them begin to take that next step even if it was against the Caps. I still think the Rangers are going to need more production from the Halperns, Powes, Pyatts and Millers of the world. Miller and Pyatt are getting chances but the others have to start shooting. Good for Boyle. He needs to build on this - it would be huge for this team if he can start scoring again while providing the all the other little things he does.
Oh, and Gaborik- YIKES. Guy is playing uber tentative right now. Hopefully hes saving it up for the last few weeks and playoffs. Hes playing like he doesnt want to get hurt and hes going to wind up hurting himself by playing that way (hope not)