Defense is the best offense as Rangers take over 1st place in Atlantic

Defense is the key to championships in all major sports, and if the Rangers keep this up, the cup may be hoisted by the Blueshirts for the first time since 1994. All 4 goals were scored by Rangers D-Men tonight, as it took overtime to defeat the Penguins 4-3. Michal Rozsival scored twice early in the 2nd to bring the Rangers back. The Rangers went down 2-0 in the 1st period thanks to Sidney Crosby, scoring and assisting on both goals. The Penguins however could not hold on to that lead.

"We had a two-goal lead early and weren't able to build on it," Crosby said. "Lundqvist held them in the game. We get that third goal, we bury them." Not so fast Sidney. The Rangers have won 9 out of their last 10 games, and with the momentum in their favor, odds are they would have come back against a sometimes lackadaisical Pittsburgh defense.

Scott Gomez also tallied an assist, to bring his points scoring streak up to 9 in a row now. Also to note, Ryan Hollweg had an assist, and defenseman Jason Strudwick both recorded their first points of the season. Strudwick though, had the most important goal, the game winner 1 minute and 40 seconds in. he scored an easy tap in from a Paul Mara pass, after getting past defenseman Sergei Gonchar.

Scoring 4 goals and having them all scored by defensemen is a rare feat in hockey, and coach Tom Renney wouldn't mind having a little stretch like that if the team keeps winning.

"When you have tight hockey like that, often times those defensemen are very much part of the offense," Rangers coach Tom Renney said. "Under the circumstances, it is a little unique but I don't care if the trend continues."

Henrik Lundqvist has also won 7 of his last 8 starts, and the rangers have sole possession of first place for the first time this season. They are currently 12-7-1, and at one point this season they were 3-6-1, and have come from a 7 point deficit in the division, all the way back to 1st. We can all thank the stellar defense and goalie Henrik Lundqvist early in this streak, but he has allowed 6 goals in his last 2 starts, and the Rangers have won. The offense looks like its coming around, so if Lundqvist has some mediocre starts, the Rangers wont have to press because the offense is gelling now, and with the returns of Marty Straka, and Ryan Callahan, things can only look even further up for the Blueshirts.