Henrik Lundqvist stretches to make a save. Copyright Getty Images/by Craig Ruttle

There are moments that can define seasons. Even turn them. For the 2013 Rangers, let’s hope tonight’s 1-0 overtime win over the Islanders before a raucous Nassau Coliseum is one of those games we look back on.

For 63 minutes, the Battle Of New York lived up to the hoopla. It was two teams not giving an inch. This was playoff hockey. No matter what side you were on. It was the kind of game that had you on the edge of your seat. From ferocious hitting to goal posts and great saves, the Rangers and Islanders played a great game. Hopefully, they’ll both make the playoffs. It’s much better for one of the classic rivalries that’s been overshadowed in recent time. Both teams are in the hunt as a frenetic shortened season hits its peak.

The Rangers prevailed thanks to their best player, Henrik Lundqvist. The Swedish King lived up to his name by stopping all 29 Islander shots for his first shutout. It was exactly the kind of virtuoso performance he’s been supplying to help the Blueshirts to a 5-1-1 mark over their last seven. Considering how well the Islanders played, they needed every last one along with Lundqvist’s best friend, the goal post to prevail. The Islanders still earned a valuable point to stay in seventh with 47 points. The Rangers remained eighth with 46, pulling two ahead of idle Winnipeg.

For a long time, it seemed it was destined for a shootout. Another game that wouldn’t be decided the old fashioned way. Following a strong kill from the Islanders on the Rangers’ fourth power play, Dan Girardi played the hero. Teamed with a shaky Ryan McDonagh all night frustrating John Tavares, Girardi took a great Derick Brassard backhand feed and beat Evgeni Nabokov inside the far post for the game’s only goal at 3:11 of overtime. His first goal in 28 games. Ironically, the other came against the Islanders on 2/14. The response was mixed with the Ranger contingent erupting while Islander fans headed for the exits.

In all honesty, Islander fans had nothing to be ashamed of. Their team carried the play thanks to an aggressive forecheck that pinned our team in. In particular, the Isles’ second line of Frans Nielsen, Josh Bailey and Kyle Okposo dominated shifts. Bailey missed on some great chances. Okposo had a step on Girardi in the final minute of regulation but slashed him to go to the box. As usual, the Ranger power play got nothing accomplished. They took the collar in four chances. The Islanders didn’t score in their two either. The penalty killing from both sides along with splendid netminding from Lundqvist and Nabokov kept them off the scoreboard.

The hitting was about even and each team sacrificed limb and limb. Outside of a strong push from the Rangers during the first half of the second, the Islanders had the puck. They out-shot us 28-18 in regulation and clanged three posts, including a cross bar by Colin McDonald in the third. The Blueshirts also came close on a power play when Derek Stepan deflected a Ryan Callahan try off the left post. Video review confirmed that it never came close to crossing the line.

I’ve seen fans on the losing side complain about the officiating. Granted. Neither Rob Martell nor Paul Devorski got in the way of the action. The veteran crew called eight penalties, including coincidental minors on McDonald (elbow) and Arron Asham (rough). McDonald elbowed Steve Eminger along the boards and Asham overreacted- negating a power play. The refs missed calls, including Carl Hagelin holding Tavares’ stick with the Islanders star center eventually getting nabbed for a rough. McDonagh later was irate for an interference call after he was cross checked. They also didn’t catch a high stick on Tavares.

It was that kind of game. A lot was going on during and after whistles. They didn’t pick up everything. However, they allowed the two teams to play, which is how it should be. You don’t want a penalty fest. There were no fights but plenty of scrums with Travis Hamonic giving Rick Nash a crosscheck and Okposo later yapping at Nash between the benches. Nash was shutdown by Hamonic and partner Andrew MacDonald, who saved a goal by blocking Callahan’s shot with Nabokov caught out of net by Brassard. In fact, Nash missed a few shifts late in the third due to a lazy back check that allowed Tavares to get his only good chance. He came in two-on-one but Lundqvist got a piece of his shot with the glove. Hank was sharp all game. He saved their bacon.

Ironically, our best forwards were Brian Boyle and Darroll Powe. Both checkers stepped it up. Boyle has been bashed all season. But he was very active physically and outstanding defensively. Powe, who is still without a point after being acquired from Minnesota for Mike Rupp– had his best game. He nearly scored with Nabokov stoning him on a rebound. He also threw his weight around. The only player who was ineffective was Asham, who on his birthday struggled. He took a bad penalty early and passed up a couple of opportunities to shoot. A team wide epidemic. So, it’s not only him.

One of Lundqvist’s best stops came on Matt Moulson late in the first. Moulson got to a rebound in front and chipped the puck towards the net but a sprawling Lundqvist kept it out with his glove. If his save on Nazem Kadri the other night was special, so too was his work in Uniondale. A place he enjoys playing in. Nabokov denied Nash on a stuff try and closed the door on Hagelin.

I figured it’d take a weird bounce to beat either goalie. Instead, Brassard took a Mike Del Zotto feed in the neutral zone and drew two Islanders at the blueline and led Girardi perfectly. He caught Bailey flatfooted and Danny G ripped a great shot to beat Nabokov.

NY Puck 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Dan Girardi, NYR (OT winner at 3:11, 2 blocks, +1 in 29:13- superb)
2nd Star-Travis Hamonic, NYI (2 SOG, 2 hits, 2 blocks in 23:02-best defenseman on ice)
1st Star-Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (29 saves incl. 22 the first 2 periods-clutch)