No Rangers Letup As They Barrel Toward The Presidents' Trophy

They don't mean it that way but the Rangers are doing the Islanders a big favor.

While the Blueshirts cross-county cousins struggle to gain a Wild Card berth, they gained some support from the Manhattanites, among others.

Hey; think about it; if the Isles do squeeze in, it's almost a real possibility that the Rangers and Nassaumen will meet in the first playoff round. 

Not that Peter Laviolette's first-place outfit is thinking about the Isles but by defeating the Red Wings, 4-3, last night in Detroit, they deflated the postseason chances of the Motor City Six while helping the UBS Arena guys.

The victory also had positive meaning for one very iffy Blueshirt; namely Barclay Goodrow who previously had seemed to be in a lifelong scoring slump.

After all, if he was only good for two goals total at this time of year, it's a wonder that the Toronto native still had a mortgage as center on the fourth line.

But Professor Laviolette moved Battlin' Barc to left wing and -- poof! Just like that -- he scored twice abetting Chris Kreider's power play winner in the third period.

And if you're wondering what kind of brainstorm moved Lavvy to move Goodrow off the pivot position, wonder no more:

"I wanted to give the (fourth) line a different look," said Perfectionist Peter.

Granted that Barclay's Red-Light Rouser will not earn him a spot on the first line berth, but it does reinforce the point that this club is well-balanced and secure in the knowledge that it will finish first in the East.

With the regular season Finish Line in sight the Rangers (52-21-4) retain their comfortable five-point lead over the Hurricanes.

Also noteworthy was Jonathan Quick's 31 save effort over a Red Wings outfit pressing hard to do what it hasn't done in recent memory; make the postseason.

"We knew they were desperate," said Quick, "and we were ready for them."

The Maven would say that Goody Goodrow was desperate to be a Lamplighter once more although Lavvy is well aware that Barclay was signed for purposes other than being a stand-in for headliner Breadman Panarin.

Laviolette: "Barclay does so many more important things beside scoring. He's a top penalty-killer and, this year, we have one of the best PK outfits in the league. He's good at faceoffs and blocks a lot of shots."

With a handsome record of 52-21-4, the New Yorkers next face the out-of-the playoffs Canadiens tomorrow night at The Garden. 

Having won nine of their last eleven games the Rangers should feast against the famine-suffering Habs with consummate ease. 

MAVEN CONCLUDES: Lavvy will continue to juggle his lines, resting the vets who could use some relaxation. Who knows; even Goody Goodrow may be good for another pair of red lights now that he's become a left wing whiz!