The King Finds a Queen

Move over Hank, you have a new friend on Broadway.

Last night's 4-3 victory over the Washington Capitals was an encouraging display of role-reversal for Rangers fans. Usually Henrik Lundqvist bails out the Rangers.

Last night, it was the other way around.

The Rangers found themselves down 3-2 after two Nicklas Backstrom goals, the first of which was a dump-in from center ice that somehow went under Lundqvist's stick as he attempted to direct the puck into the corner.

The Rangers were able to overcome Lundqvist's rare lapse in focus via two quick Marian Gaborik tallies.

Gaborik proved his worth as a game-breaker last night. Despite an ineffective first two periods, he was able to elevate his game in the last session. The top players find ways to make a difference, even when they don't have their 'A' game - and "Gabby" did just that.

On his first goal he was able to convert a Vinny Prospal pass with a quick half-slapper that trickled through Jose Theodore's legs and into the back of the net.

The second came on the power-play. Gaborik was able to take an excellent break-out pass from Michael Del Zotto in stride, and then fire a quick snapper between Theodore's legs, once again, and into the back of the twine. The space the Caps' defenders gave the speedy Gaborik on the play showed just how scary Gaborik is for a defenseman when he is able bust through the neutral zone with speed.

But this game wasn't just about Gaborik - it was a quality team effort. Lundqvist rebounded well and made some key stops later in the third. Ryan Callahan, who was questionable for the game after sustaining a back injury in yesterday morning's practice, was his usual tenacious self, notching a key short-handed break-away goal. The third-line came through with an Ales Kotalik even-strength marker, which saw Artem Anisimov register his first NHL point. Matt Gilroy and Michael Del Zotto continue to be relevations on the back-line. And most importantly, the defense did a great job of keeping Alex Ovechkin in check - no small feat there.

But, it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows for the Rangers. Michal Rozsvial continues to be nothing short of horrendous, and was benched by John Tortorella for the final 60% of the game. The team took way too many penalties against a talented Capitals' power-play, including two offensive zone infractions from the Rangers' fourth line.

The bottom line is the Rangers have won three straight games in regulation, proving to the fans, and most importantly, to themselves, that they can be successful playing in John Tortorella's system.

That they had to overcome a rare blunder from their franchise player makes this win even sweeter.