Nashty: Rick Nash beats Kari Lehtonen on a breakaway in the first period.
Jerome Miron/USA Today Sports

After two periods, they were fortunate to be tied. The Rangers knew that. In the first period, Henrik Lundqvist made 23 saves. A career high for one period according to Elias Sports Bureau. They needed heroic goaltending to stay with a dangerous offensive opponent. In total, Lundqvist finished with 41 saves. He also set up Rick Nash’s first goal of the season with a brilliant outlet. Not known for his stickhandling, even that part of his game was sharp.

It might not have mattered if Chris Kreider and John Moore didn’t score 37 seconds apart to break a 1-1 tie early in the third. Offense had been hard to come by lately. In their last four games, the Rangers totaled only four. In a second intermission interview with John Giannone, Ryan McDonagh noted that they’d gotten into penalty trouble. They handed Dallas a ton of opportunities including Stephane Robidas’ power play goal which took a funny hop off McDonagh past a helpless Lundqvist. Despite playing a better period going even in shots (13-13), they needed a strong third to win a big game.

Kreider got the goal party started when he took a Derek Stepan feed in the neutral zone and wired a wrister past Kari Lehtonen. It erased a nine-game drought and had to feel good for a player who’s been doing everything. Dan Girardi added a helper off a Dallas turnover. With the excitement of Kreider’s goal still felt, Derick Brassard sent Moore flying into the Dallas zone. Like Kreider, he blasted one top shelf for his second to suddenly make it 3-1. Carl Hagelin started the play and earned an assist.

It proved to be huge because Alex Chiasson cut it to one when he took a Cody Eakin feed and beat Lundqvist with a twisted wrister. On the Stars’ second goal, Mike Del Zotto and Brassard got caught leading to an odd-man rush. It was Del Zotto’s first game after being a healthy scratch three straight. Joe Micheletti went out of his way to rip him. I guess he’s Alain Vigneault’s ear piece. Brassard made a mistake too. Come on.

Following Chiasson’s goal, Nash got a breakaway from the Dallas blueline leading to a penalty shot. He made a great move to the backhand but an athletic Lehtonen was able to make a fantastic leg save keeping it 3-2 with 11:21 left. It allowed the Stars to come at Lundqvist in waves. Jamie Benn had the best chance. The Stars’ captain entered the zone and toe dragged around three sliding Rangers and got a pretty good shot on Lundqvist, who squeezed his pads together to avert disaster. It was the biggest save of the game and allowed the team to get a much needed win against a good team.

Our D had plenty of breakdowns. But Hank stood tall earning his first Broadway Hat. He gave credit to the Stars for coming hard. But in the end, he made the difference. This was the type of game the Rangers desperately had to have from their goalie. He delivered a clutch performance allowing them to start the five-game road trip on the right foot. They next visit Nashville Saturday before headed to Tampa and Florida next week. Then conclude at Boston on Black Friday.

The win allowed them to get back to .500 (11-11-0) with 22 points. Currently, they’re third in the Metro. A point up on the Devils, who are playing the Kings now. With another win, the Flyers are suddenly up to fifth in the division with 20 points. The Canes lost and also have 20. The Blue Jackets and Islanders each have 19. It’s tightened up considerably. Every game matters.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-John Moore, NYR (2nd goal of season-points in his last 2 games)

2nd Star-Chris Kreider, NYR (3rd goal of season ended 9-game drought-much needed)

1st Star-Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (41 saves incl. career best 23 saves in 1st period)