The Rangers entered Wednesday’s Garden match against the Bruins in second place in the Atlantic Division and in the fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
Henrik Lundqvist told The Post at the morning skate that he believes the Rangers are equipped to battle for the division and conference titles.
“We’re looking at the teams in front of us, not the ones behind us,” said Lundqvist, who was in net as his team sought a season-best fourth straight victory. “I don’t see that much of a difference in teams, I don’t think that there are teams that are a lot better than us, so it all comes down to consistency.
“I think the team that’s the most consistent will win the division. Philly has been very consistent and that’s why they’re in front right now. I think we have what it takes to compete with anybody in this league, we just have to play our game every night.”
Lundqvist was in for the second straight game after missing a pair with a severe head cold. He was magnificent in Monday’s 3-2 OT victory in Pittsburgh in making 37 saves and holding his team in the match through the opening two periods in which the Penguins had carried the play.
“I didn’t feel great [physically] in warmups or at the start, but I was able to stay square to the shooter the whole time, which is very important,” Lundqvist said. “As deep as I play, it really helped me against that team because with the way they move the puck, you don’t stand a chance if you get too aggressive.”
The Rangers rallied to tie at 18:34 of the third when Brandon Dubinsky set up Marc Staal for a shorthanded goal. They won it at 3:38 of OT when Dubinsky set up Ryan Callahan to finish a 2-on-1. Dubinsky leads the club with 17 points (10-7) while Callahan is right behind him with 16 (5-11).
“You look at Dubi and Cally, you can see how they’re getting more and more confidence as they get more responsibility,” Lundqvist said. “When you see those guys diving, blocking shots, and working so hard on every shift, it lifts everybody.
“When your top players having such great work ethic, and Gabby [Marian Gaborik] is in there, it really helps with the character of the team.”