It’s getting awfully crowded among the powerhouses in the Metropolitan Division.
The New York Rangers easily handled the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday, winning 4-1 at The Joe and moving them to the 90-point mark. They are one of four teams in that division to accomplish that, even with plenty of time remaining in the regular season schedule.
It’s now setting up a situation where the top-four teams in that division could be separated by just five points by the time the weekend is over. It depends on the outcome of the Washington Capitals-Anaheim Ducks game this evening, as Alex Ovechkin and company look to bust their losing skid.
With Henrik Lundqvist out two to three weeks because of injury, Antti Raanta stepped in and delivered a 23-save performance.
“I don’t try to be Hank, I just try to be myself,” Raanta told the New York Post. “I know that every time when I play, it’s always a big thing for me to show what I can do. That’s what I try to do right now.”
The Rangers regained the lead late in the second period on goals 37 seconds apart from Ryan McDonagh and Kevin Hayes.
Derek Stepan put it away late in the third period, making it 4-1. In the process, he snapped a 23-game scoring drought.