Henrik Lundqvist makes his sixth consecutive start. So much for a lighter load for the King Of Manhattan. At least he had two days to recover, which should bode well. Lundqvist has looked much sharper. He’s starting to return to the form that helped him capture a first Vezina. After permitting three-or-more goals the first three starts (10 GA on 81 shots), Henrik’s stopped 46 of the last 50 against the Flyers and Leafs. None of the four he gave up were soft.

If Lundqvist is finally rounding into shape, that is a huge plus for the Blueshirts, who aim for their first winning streak of 2013. The supreme trio of Marian Gaborik, Brad Richards and Rick Nash has found early chemistry. Gaborik has scored a team-leading five goals, including his 14th career hat trick (fifth as a Ranger) highlighting a 4-3 overtime win over the Bruins. Nash has only found twine once but has looked dominant, creating space and finding teammates. Richards scored his second to start the team’s comeback against Toronto. He has two goals and four assists.

Chris Kreider (ankle) remains out. There’s no time table for his return. Our team needs more from Carl Hagelin (no points), who possesses the speed and intangibles to contribute. John Tortorella flipped him and Taylor Pyatt. Hags will play with Derek Stepan (4 assists) and Ryan Callahan while Pyatt works with Brian Boyle and Benn Ferriero, who played nearly 13 minutes in his Ranger debut. The fourth line is Mike Rupp, Jeff Halpern and Arron Asham. Figure Rupp and Asham to be busy in their rare shifts.

Right now, we have a two and a half line team until Kreider returns. Hagelin must step it up. Boyle is coming off a strong effort, which hopefully he can build upon. The bangers rarely play. I kind of wish Slats constructed this roster differently. Other successful coaches in this area trust their fourth line. There are going to be games where our top guns are gassed. That’s when you need your energy guys most.

Stu Bickel replaces Steve Eminger on the blueline. No surprise against the big, bad Broadstreet Bullies. Last year, he was decent when Tort used him regularly. Now, he hardly trusts Stu and isn’t playing Anton Stralman enough. I get why he has Marc Staal and Mike Del Zotto together. Especially off a great effort that saw them respond with big nights. Tortorella wants this team to attack more which allows our D to jump up. Staal and MDZ are our best in that department. But it comes with a risk.

I personally feel Stralman with Staal gives the back end more stability. It’s not like Anton’s a slouch. He shoots the puck and plays power play. If you have Del Zotto with Bickel or Eminger, Tortorella can go with a regular rotation and then double shift late.

I’m not going to be around for tonight’s game. It’d be nice for them to hit the Flyers back. They’re struggling. It’s time for our team to take care of business. Especially with the Penguins coming in for the conclusion of the three-game home stand Thursday.