Rangers keep winning games on road
Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist, left, celebrates with defenseman Marc Staal at the end of a shutout victory over Boston. (Mar. 26, 2011) Credit: AP
BOSTON -- Call them road warriors.
The Rangers' 23 wins away from Madison Square Garden is their most since the 1993-94 season.
"We know we've played some pretty good teams," said Brian Boyle, who blocked five shots and had four hits in 18:14 of Saturday's 1-0 win. "We know how to defend and we know we can be successful when we play our style. We've got a lot of confidence. Especially after a game like Ottawa [a 2-1 shootout loss Thursday], when we came back and played our game tonight. We were a little more physical tonight. We knew they were going to come hard. Playing well on the road can only help us in the playoffs."
Henrik steps up
The positive stats keep piling up for Henrik Lundqvist, who is edging into the Vezina Trophy conversation. His 11 shutouts are tied for second in team history, and are the most by a Rangers goalie since John Ross Roach had 13 in 1928-29.
Lundqvist is 19-11-1 on the road and the 11 shutouts and 19 road wins both lead the league. In the last 10 games, Lundqvist is 8-1-1 with a 1.67 goals-against average, a .942 save percentage and three shutouts. "He has stepped us his play when we need him. He looks solid. He's going to have to be if we want to keep on going," coach John Tortorella said.
Avery returns
Sean Avery was inserted in the lineup for the first time in five games, with Mats Zuccarello scratched for the first time since his NHL debut Dec. 23, and fought Greg Campbell at 2:44 of the first period. Tortorella wanted some energy, but Avery played just nine shifts and 5:45 total as the game tightened.
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