WINNER: Ryan Callahan shoots and scores the winning goal against Detroit goaltender Ty Conklin that gave the Rangers a 2-1 overtime victory over the RedWings last night at the Garden. (Reuters)
The Rangers are being chased instead of doing the chasing down the stretch this time, being pursued by the rampaging Penguins for first place in the East and in the Atlantic rather than chasing myriad clubs for the final playoff spot as has been the norm the previous five seasons.
The Rangers operate under the mantra, “Attention to detail one game at a time” as preached by John Tortorella, the maharishi behind the bench. But make no mistake about it, this team covets the regular-season conference title.
“I think it’s good to stay on top,” Henrik Lundqvist said after last night’s 2-1 overtime victory over the Red Wings re-established a three-point lead on the Penguins, who will make up their game in hand at home tonight against the Predators. “We definitely want to be in first.”
PHOTOS: RANGERS DEFEAT RED WINGS
Ryan Callahan, who delivered a bravura performance on his 27th birthday, blasted a drive past Ty Conklin at 2:42 of overtime to conclude the match that not only guaranteed the Rangers would retain the conference lead for at least another few days that they have held since Dec. 30, but extended the club’s lead to seven points over the Flyers for home-ice advantage with nine games to go.
“We’re aware of what’s going on behind us,” said Callahan, who had eight shots, four other attempts that did not hit the net, three hits and two blocked shots in 23:02. “We know that we’re being chased and that we have to keep our game going, but that goes hand in hand with wins.”
Last night’s game was alternately pulsating and deadly dull, featuring an odd mix of rink-length rushes and determined forechecking interrupted by a deadly second period that stood still during 32 stops of play.
Both teams desperately needed a point — the Red Wings are locked in a furious battle for home ice — but neither team played it safe either down the stretch in the third period or in overtime.
The Rangers are 8-2 in overtime, entering the four-on-four in an attack mode even though they believe they own the greatest shootout security of all in Lundqvist.
“It’s funny because we do talk about that and we do want to make sure we take care of defense in overtime, but I think we’ve built a lot of confidence through the year with the way we’ve won games,” said Callahan, whose two extra-time winners are second on the club to Marian Gaborik’s three.
“If we have an opportunity, we’re going to go for it.”
Callahan had missed three straight games and six of the previous nine with a bruised right foot before returning Saturday against Colorado. He has regained whatever he might have temporarily lost in his time off the ice.
“It definitely does take a little time to get your lungs back and your legs underneath you,” said the captain. “It may not seem like a long time, but you miss a few days of skating and you need to build back your conditioning.”
The Rangers have built back their game. Brad Richards, playing his best hockey as a Ranger as the stakes get higher by the game, scored a power- play goal on a brilliant end-to-end rush at 4:58 of the second to cancel Henrik Zetterberg’s game-opening goal at 3:36 of the first.
Lundqvist had his best game in more than two weeks in repelling a depleted Detroit team nevertheless capable of cycling and maintaining possession for 30 seconds at time.
“It’s good what’s going on around us,” said The King. “We need to push ourselves to be the best we can be.”