Not pretty but a win nonetheless. That sentence could and has been applied to several Rangers' victories this season. Tuesday, this was the case again, as after a horrific start, New York rallied and had just enough to defeat Tampa Bay 3-2 at MSG.

Tampa Bay, who were without Steven Stamkos, Ryan Callahan, Anton Stralman, Victor Hedman and Ben Bishop, carried play just about the entire first period. Outshooting the Rangers, 21-6, and outchancing them, 33-11, those numbers do not do full justice to just how dominant the Lightning were, especially the first three-quarters of the stanza. New York was fortunate to be down only 2-0, largely saved by Henrik Lundqvist's stellar play.

Both Lightning goals were caused by poor defensive play. Andrej Sustr capitalized on a wide open slot to score while Brian Boyle was able to carve out a ton of open room to deflect a puck that would have gone in anyway from Ondrej Palat, who also was wide open down low. The same mistakes we have seen repeatedly lately were on full display again, as Tampa carried play. Part of the change of momentum might have occurred after Tanner Glass was tossed for a late, high check - but one that shouldn't draw a suspension - with about four minutes left in the first. I don't think it's because Glass wasn't on the ice, as some have suggested, but the Rangers killed that penalty and shortly thereafter the period ended.

In between periods, the Rangers settled themselves down and started the second anew and fresh, wiping away the stink of the first. Derek Stepan, who has 30 points his last 27 games, 14 his last eight and is now up to 52 on the season, got New York on the board. Faceoff win by Derick Brassard, puck went from Zucc to Yandle and then cross ice to Stepan, who took advantage of a great screen in front of Andrei Vasilevskiy by Chris Kreider to halve the deficit. With that goal, it marked the fourth time in five years that Stepan scored at least 50 points.

Down 2-1 heading to the third, New York turned it on to get the win. A blast by Stepan that Vasilevskiy likely should have stopped, evened the game. Then, good work by Stepan in neutral zone to keep the puck alive, resulted in it landing on Marc Staal's stick. Staal, who for the second straight game really stepped up on Ryan McDonagh's absence, took a hit to get the puck to Kreider at the blue line. Kreider tipped the puck forward, using his speed and power to create separation, and beat Vasilevskiy inside the right post for the game-winner. Kreider, who finally is converting chances he missed earlier this season, has five goals his last six games and 10 his last 20. Stepan and Kreider getting hot are two major reasons why there is some optimism heading to the post season. But there was still time remaining.

Lundqvist did the rest. Several strong saves the last 4-5 minutes to give up 39 for the game. Lundqvist was brilliant in the first to keep New York in the game, as his D and forwards left him repeatedly out to dry. He requested to play last night to get work in and boy did he ever. Now comes the fun part, do you play him both of the last two games? Pittsburgh's comeback win over Ottawa leaves them three points ahead of the Rangers with two games left. One point by the Penguins in their last two games clinched home ice in the first round. The Isles comeback win against Washington puts them two points behind the Rangers with a game in hand and contest between two teams Thursday. If the Isles win that game, both teams will be even with the Isles having contests Saturday and Sunday to try and get the three seed. Would you rather go into the playoffs on a win streak and be the three seed to face Pitt or slide to the seven and take on Florida? That decision may drive if Lundqvist plays the next two contests.

Defensively, as we know New York was without McDonagh. Unconfirmed reports but ones that have been disseminated by several indicate that McDonagh has at least one and maybe a few fractured metacarpals in his right hand, suffered when he blocked Brandon Dubinsky's shot Monday. Can we get Kevlar in the gloves, please? Depending on who you belief, McDonagh could be back after missing just a few games in the first round in the playoffs or might be out 4-6 weeks. If McD can grip the stick, look for him to return sometime during the first round rather than missing the extended period of time.

With McD, Brady Skjei was called up and in the lineup Tuesday, skating with Kevin Klein while Dylan McIlrath, in for Dan Boyle, played with Staal and Yandle was with Dan Girardi . After a shaky start, including on the first goal against, Skjei rebounded to play a fairly solid 16:22 in the contest. Last in the game, the Rangers lost Girardi after a boarding penalty by Brian Boyle. G looked woozy after the hit and likely is undergoing the NHL's concussion protons right now. Hopefully, he didn't suffer a concussion and won't be lost long term. Even if healthy, it might behoove AV and the team to sit G on Thursday. If that does happen, possible call up options are Raphael Diaz (hurt, so unlikely), Chris Summers (experienced and likely) and Ryan Graves (one with most upside but least amount of experience).

Playoff Picture :

Starting with 10 games to go, scoreboard watching became the sport inside of the sport. As of the end of games April 5, the Rangers, who have two games left after their win over Tampa Bay on Tuesday, sit third in the division, 45-26-9 with 99 points. When I do a recap or game preview blog, I will include this at the bottom of the blog. However, on non-game/recap days, I will run this daily since this is a huge topic of conversation and a large component of our focus.

Tuesday, as noted above, the Penguins rallied to beat the Senators, maintaining second place in the Metro, three points ahead of the Rangers. In addition, Pittsburgh leads the Rangers 43-42 in ROW, giving the Penguins a strong likelihood of holding second place with just two games left. In addition, the Isles beat the Capitals, keeping them two points back of the Rangers with a game in hand and contest Thursday versus the Blueshirts. Florida beat Montreal, which with Tampa's loss to the Rangers locked up first place in the Atlantic for the Panthers. Carolina beat Boston in a shootout, keeping the Bruins in ninth place in the conference and on the outside of the playoffs.

Each team's remaining games could have an impact on standings placement down the road when in the post-season, depending on who wins first and second round matchups. Wednesday: Direct - none. Indirect (overall standings) - Flyers-Red Wings

Monday,

Division:

Washington locked up the division and top seed in the conference with their win over Ottawa on March 22.

Pittsburgh- defeated Ottawa 5-3 on Tuesday for their seventh straight win. 9-1-0 in last 10, second in the division, three point ahead of the Rangers with same number of games played. One point in their last two contests locks up second in the Metro. (played 41 games at home, 39 on road, none left at home, two on road)

NYI- 4-3 win over Washington on Tuesday, 6-4-0 in last 10, one game in hand and two points behind the Rangers, in fourth place in Metro with a game at MSG against the Blueshirts on Thursday. First Wild Card. (played 39 games at home, 40 on road, two left at home, one on road)

Philly- lost 6-2 to Pittsburgh on Sunday. 6-3-1 their last 10, one game in hand on the Rangers, eight points behind NY. Ahead of Boston by one point with a game in hand for eighth place on conference and Second Wild Card spot. Tied with Detroit, who is third in Atlantic, with one game in hand. (played 39 games at home, 39 on road, two left at home, two on road)

Conference (teams with a reasonable shot at the playoffs. Right now, three team race for division with Detroit looming).

Florida has 101 points with two games left after beating Monday on Tuesday. That win coupled with Tampa's loss to the Rangers means that the Panthers have locked up first in the Atlantic with 101 points to Tampa's 95. Florida is 7-3-0 in last 10, having won four in a row and played 40 games at home and 40 on the road. One game left at home and one on the road.

Tampa Bay has 95 points with two games left after their 3-2 loss to the Rangers on Monday. They are 5-5-0 in their last 10, losing two straight while having played 41 games at home and 39 on the road. No games left at home and two games on the road.

Detroit - beat Toronto 3-2 on Saturday to move into third place in the Atlantic. 5-5-0 in last 10. Six points behind Isles, who have one game in hand. The Flyers win Wednesday put them two points ahead of Detroit and they also have one game in hand. One points behind Boston but with no games in hand. (played 39 games at home, 38 on road, two left at home, three on road.

Boston lost 2-1 in overtime Tuesday to Carolina and are now 3-6-1 in last 10. Their last two losses moved them behind Detroit and out of the playoffs as of right now. They trail TB by four points but but both teams have played 80 games. Detroit is one point ahead of Boston in third in the Atlantic with Detroit having a game in hand as they have played 79 games. The Bruins have played 39 games at home and 41 on the road. Two games left at home and none on the road.

Summary: After a disappointing road trip, a solid win at home against the Panthers followed by one over Boston, a victory in Montreal, overtime loss to Pittsburgh and defeat by Carolina. Home loss to Buffalo, then playoff clinching win in Columbus and rally to beat Tampa on Tuesday. The Rangers the past several seasons have been excellent down the stretch, to lock in a specific spot, they may need to do the same thus year. Upcoming schedule is no cake walk. Remaining games overall are two at home and none on the road. The Rangers are going to get no help from others, so they will need to keep winning in order to maintain a top-three seed in division.

In order:

3/21- Fla - win 4-2
3/23 - Bos - win 5-2
3/26 - @Mtl - win 5-2
3/27 - Pit - lost 3-2 in overtime
3/31 - @Car - lost 4-3
4/2 - Buf - lost 4-3
4/4 - @CBJ - won 4-2
4/5 - TB - won 3-2
4/7 - NYI
4/9 - Det

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