Some notables from tonight’s 5-1 home win over Carolina.

-Chris Kreider’s first career 3-point game. He extended his career best point streak to 3 recording 2 goals and 3 assists.

-The 3 assists for Mats Zuccarello tied a career high set on Jan. 25, 2011 vs. Florida. Since sitting out, Zuke has a goal and 5 assists over the last 5 games.

-Carl Hagelin recorded his 4th career 2-goal game. He had two in his rookie year (’11-12) and one last year. The Rangers are 3-0-0 since Hags returned outscoring opponents 10-3. The Hag Factor.

-After making 27 saves, Henrik Lundqvist improved to 2-1-0 since returning from his “secret injury.” He’s allowed 3 goals on the last 84 shots faced posting a 1.01 GAA with a .964 save percentage along with one shutout.

-With an assist, that gives Benoit Pouliot four points over his last 5. He’s definitely been more noticeable following a dreadful start. The key is consistency.

-The Rangers 5 goals came against Justin Peters. Let’s face it. He’s not NHL caliber. I don’t want to jump the gun on our offense being cured quite yet. We’ll learn a lot more starting Monday.

-When he focuses on playing hockey, Derek Dorsett’s an effective fore-checker who finishes checks. However, the shenanigans has to stop. He’s already taken some undisciplined penalties. Going back at Ryan Murphy wasn’t worth it. What if the Canes had gotten another one past Hank?

-A huge difference between Alain Vigneault and John Tortorella is how he plays our core guys. Only Ryan McDonagh saw over 20 minutes receiving a shade over 23. A sharp contrast from what we saw under Tort, who rode his horses. Dan Girardi isn’t being worn out getting 19:16 and going plus-3. Anton Stralman actually got 25 seconds more. The team’s most overlooked defenseman continues to fly under the radar working well with Marc Staal, who’s settled down. John Moore got over 17 minutes playing better hitting the post and forcing Peters to make a good save. Mike Del Zotto also had 17-plus and was okay. The balance is probably best for the team long-term.

-One other tidbit. Derek Stepan recorded his hat trick in 14:10 or about a minute less than Chris Kreider.

-Face-offs were Hurricanes 33, Rangers 28. Brian Boyle went 9-and-6. Brad Richards was .500 (7-for-14). Former Blueshirt Manny Malhotra was the game’s best going 10 of 14 in his second NHL game back from a career threatening eye injury. Wishing him all the best.

-Blocked shots continue to decrease under AV. The Rangers blocked 10 led by who else but Danny G (4). Taylor Pyatt had 2. The Canes had 15 led by lone goal scorer Andrej Sekera’s 4 and Justin Faulk’s 3.

-There was not much physicality with the teams combining for a paltry 39. The Rangers won that battle 22-17 paced by Derick Brassard’s 5. Ser—io—us—ly. Kreider added 3. For Carolina, Brett Bellemore led them with 5 and little ex-Sabre Nathan Gerbe had 3. Odd.