Nash Heroics: A diving Rick Nash beats Kari Lehtonen for the game-winner with 1:58 remaining.
Getty Images/Jason DeCrow

Rick Nash is paid to score goals. It’s been a challenge this season. He hasn’t always finished. In last night’s 3-2 win over the Stars, it was his big goal with 1:58 left in regulation that gave the Rangers their second straight win.

Twice, they trailed by a goal. Moments after a near miss from Tyler Seguin at the doorstep, Nash got to a loose puck and scored his third in three games. A spectacular effort goal in which he was off balance and got his stick on a Chris Kreider rebound before falling to the ice. Somehow, he put it top shelf past Kari Lehtonen.

”I think it was 50 percent luck … well, probably 70 percent luck and 30 percent skill,” a happy Nash told John Giannone while wearing the Broadway Hat in the postgame. ”I was just following the puck. It went a little bit higher than anticipated, but luckily it went in.”

Given the circumstances, it’s arguably the biggest goal he’s scored as a Blueshirt. He did it in a tie game with under two minutes remaining. With every point so crucial, it was huge. A couple of shifts earlier, Kreider set up Nash perfectly on a two on one. He missed the net. I tweeted a little frustration but also asked him to get one. To my satisfaction, Nash redeemed himself. He got it with sheer hustle and determination. I give him a lot of flak. It was great to see him come through.

Most importantly, it was big to follow up the win over the Blackhawks with another. For much of the season, the Rangers haven’t been able to sustain consistency. With seven points in their last four (3-0-1), they’re up to 23-20-3 with 49 points. The Caps won over the Leafs to tie the Flyers for second in the Metro Division. The Rangers sit fourth a point back. Philadelphia is currently trailing Tampa Bay 1-0 in a Saturday matinee. Interestingly, they would be in the playoffs due to the Atlantic coming back to the pack. Something Hasan alluded to. Detroit and Toronto would be out.

”We talked about it this morning,” Henrik Lundqvist said after finishing with 24 saves for his second consecutive win. ”It’s always a great feeling when you come up big in the end of a game.”

Lundqvist was good late with the game on the line. He made a few timely stops. He allowed goals to Cody Eakin and Ryan Garbutt. Eakin opened the scoring 4:06 into the first when he took a Garbutt feed and muscled one past Lundqvist. Ryan Callahan responded with his first goal since returning. He buried a Brad Richards pass for his eighth at 11:20. Richards was set up by Benoit Pouliot and got to his own rebound before finding an open Callahan in front.

The Stars went ahead again early in the second. On an odd man rush, a cutting Garbutt was able to bat down an Antoine Roussel pass and in one motion beat Lundqvist with a backhand upstairs. Eakin picked up a helper. Both he and Garbutt had a goal and assist. That was the Stars’ best line. They were dangerous throughout. Eakin also hit the post with a slapper in the third.

If there’s an area that’s really improved under coach Alain Vigneault, it’s the power play. No longer an NHL doormat, the Rangers rank sixth clicking at 21.3 percent. They’ve continued to improve under ex-Jackets coach Scott Howson. There weren’t many opportunities but they made the most out of a second chance to tie it. Mats Zuccarello has been their best power play player. His creativity has been a difference maker. Now on the top unit, Zuke set up Derick Brassard for his seventh. Taking a feed from Richards, Zuccarello quickly shot passed for an open Brassard for a neat deflection.

”I didn’t do much. I just shot it. All the credit to him,” the understated Zuccarello said. ”If it’s there, it’s there. If it’s not there, it’s not there.

”I just shot it. He made a really nice tip. It’s a skill play by him.”

It takes a special skill to execute such a play. Zuccarello adds that missing element. Brassard did a nice job in front. They also play together at even strength with Pouliot. That has been the Rangers’ best line during a stretch that’s seen them win seven of their last 10.

”When a power play works, it keeps the other team honest because they don’t want to see the power play on the ice,” Vigneault said. ”Our power play has been working real well for us. It’s been giving us momentum, it’s been giving us timely goals.”

The third was back and forth. The Rangers got another opportunity when the Stars were nabbed for a bench minor. With Garbutt and Carl Hagelin already off, it was a four on three. But they failed to convert. Joe Micheletti questioned Vigneault’s choice of not using Zuccarello during the first part. Instead, he had Richards and Derek Stepan out with Callahan and Ryan McDonagh. It didn’t make much sense.

Zuccarello’s hustle defensively bailed out a pinching Michael Del Zotto. For the most part, Del Zotto’s been steadier since returning with points in three of four. He threw his weight around delivering a thumping hit that drew a positive reaction from The Garden. In 20 shifts (14:47) partnered with John Moore (13:39), he had three hits and three blocked shots. He also was open on a two on two rush with Callahan, who opted to shoot. They nearly got burned. Callahan’s shot was blocked leading to a Stars break out. Seguin narrowly missed a tap in slamming his stick in frustration.

That led to Nash’s heroics. On a good forecheck, he and Stepan freed the puck getting it to Dan Girardi. He passed for McDonagh, whose shot was deflected behind the net by Stepan. A hustling Chris Kreider beat two Stars behind the net and came out and had a shot carom off Lehtonen. With both Stepan and Nash in the vicinity, the former Jacket got to the loose puck first to score his 10th. It touched off a nice celebration.

They still had to protect the lead. It took 58 minutes to get. They were up to the challenge. Lundqvist didn’t have to do much in the final minute. Sliding Rangers forced a couple of desperation Stars’ shots wide. The exciting ending reminded me of ’11-12. That’s how they won games. By getting the big goal and outworking opponents late. Maybe there is hope.

The Flyers visit tomorrow night. It’ll be my fifth game. I’m 1-3. It would be nice if they followed it up with another win. Especially against a hot team that they’re battling. This is a crucial stretch. The Lightning and Red Wings also visit this week. After a visit at Ottawa, the Rangers return to MSG for three against the Caps, Islanders and Blues. Then comes the Stadium Series against the Devils and Islanders at Yankee Stadium. They also conclude January hosting the Isles. Technically, they only have one road game. If you include the beginning of February against the Avs and Oilers, that’s 11 of the next 12 either at home or on a neutral site. The window of opportunity is now.

Miller sent to Hartford: As expected, J.T. Miller was sent back to Hartford. A healthy scratch for a second straight game, the 20-year old forward is better off with the Wolf Pack getting playing time. With Daniel Carcillo having a second straight strong game, it makes sense. Keeping Miller sharp is important for his development. Meanwhile, Carcillo showed that maybe he can be an asset delivering a game high eight hits in 11 shifts (8:38). As long as he stays under control, Carbomb can be effective. He’ll be facing another former team tomorrow. That should be interesting.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Dan Girardi, NYR (3 SOG, 3 blocks, 3 hits, 2 takeaways, +1 in 31 shifts-24:56-could easily be Eakin/Garbutt or McDonagh/Brassard. It’s time to recognize Danny G. He’s been much better.)

2nd Star-Brad Richards, NYR (2 assists, 3 SOG, 8 attempts, 13 for 25 on faceoffs, +1 in 20:23-one of his better games)

1st Star-Rick Nash, NYR (scored the game-winner with 1:58 left-his biggest goal as a Ranger)