Henrik Lundqvist stops an Islander shot en route to 38 saves highlighting a Rangers 4-1 win over the Islanders.
Getty Images/Frank Franklin II

It was a special night for the Rangers. They honored MSG play by play man Sam Rosen prior to the game against their arch rival. The affable broadcaster is in his 30th year calling Ranger games. He took over for Jim Gordon. As an organization, they always do things first class. Especially when it comes to recognizing players and team personnel. Rosen will always be remembered for his famous line, “This one will last a lifetime,” when the 1993-94 team won the Stanley Cup. He’s someone who bleeds Ranger blue through and through. Listening to him is like hearing myself or any diehard Blueshirt fan. Not only is he a great voice, but one who deserves inclusion in the Hockey Hall Of Fame. His work for NHL radio during the Stanley Cup playoffs is second to none. Isn’t it about time the Foster Hewitt Award goes to Sam? That’s for another day.

The best part is that Rosen’s sidekick John Davidson returned for the festivities. When it comes to Ranger broadcasts, Sam and JD are legendary. As classy a man as there is, Davidson now is Columbus Team President and is rebuilding the Blue Jackets after retooling St. Louis. As usual, he’s doing a wonderful job with the Jackets in the playoff mix. Davidson joined Sam once more on MSG. He also called the second period on ESPN radio with Kenny Albert and Dave Maloney. Returning from Park Slope, I was able to catch him at his best heaping praise on Mats Zuccarello. Zuccarello helped set up Derick Brassard’s game-winner with 7:46 left highlighting an emotional 4-1 win over the Islanders to sweep the final two games of the season series. What would such a special night be without a big win over our biggest rival? Their third consecutive victory moved them up to 63 points. That’s four better than surging Carolina- 3-1 winners over those Blues.

Once again, the Islanders controlled most of the play. They fired 19 shots on Henrik Lundqvist in the second period but were only able to beat him once. Similar to the 2-1 Stadium Series win on Wednesday, Lundqvist was brilliant finishing with 38 saves. He’s making all the key stops. With our goalie back to form, everything is falling into place. Unfortunately, the Ryan Callahan trade rumors won’t end. With Glen Sather giving his agent the okay to talk to other teams if they can’t reach agreement on an extension before the Olympic roster freeze, it’s looking less likely that he’ll stay. It would be sad to see him go. There’s no question the team is playing its best hockey. I remain skeptical about the timing of such a deal. Unless someone is willing to overpay, I prefer to keep him. But if he really is seeking a seven-year deal in the neighborhood of $42 million, the business side might ruin the season. I say that because you can’t account for team chemistry. Trading your captain mid-year is very risky. Even if he will probably bolt this summer.

Playing in possibly his final game, Ryan Callahan battles Isles’ rookie defenseman Calvin de Haan last night at MSG.
Getty Images/Frank Franklin II

Ironically, it was a Callahan pass that sprung Brad Richards for an insurance marker with 5:01 remaining. He might not be finishing as much but you can always count on Callahan to make the right play. With so much talk centered around whether he played his final game, it’s definitely emotional. The Rangers don’t play again until Tuesday when they host Colorado. Figure the crazy rumors to intensify. It’s really difficult as a fan right now. I’ve gotten into some debates on Facebook and Twitter over it. Nothing overboard thankfully. My point is as much as the future is being pointed to by everyone, when does it ever become about the present? This is the last time we’ll see this core together. Sather faces his most difficult off season. Something I alluded to in my most recent piece. It won’t only be Callahan who could change rosters. I wish more people realized that.

As for the latest win, Brian Boyle and Marc Staal were factors. Boyle scored his fourth at 3:29 into the first on a neat deflection of a Staal point shot that was headed wide. For all the crap he gets, Boyle is a key contributor. Sure. He won’t blow you away with his skating or shot and can’t fight despite his size. But there’s something to be said for the intangibles he brings to the table. He is a solid checking forward who wins faceoffs and is one of our top penalty killers always willing to lay out the body. The same for Callahan, who’s always been the heart and soul. That’s not easily replaced. Meanwhile, Staal continued his resurgence recording two assists while playing dominant two-way hockey. Whenever I start to doubt him, he always proves me wrong. Take for example a great defensive play he made on one end and then the hockey intelligence to jump into the rush and take Zuccarello’s cross ice pass and center perfectly for Brassard’s ninth. Just awesome.

The Islanders’ only goal came off the hot stick of Kyle Okposo. He scored his 24th after a power play expired, rebounding home a Calvin de Haan shot. Listening to Davidson on the radio, he pointed out that Lundqvist had just made a difficult save but Okposo was able to pounce for his 19th in his last 26 games. The snake bitten Josh Bailey picked up the other assist. From the sound of it, the Islanders had plenty of chances to go ahead. But our goalie wouldn’t allow it. The game remained tied entering the third.

Similar to the last game, it came down to the final 20 minutes. Again, it was the Rangers who stepped up. They outshot the Islanders 16-8 and outscored them 3-0. Before that occurred, there were some fun post scrums which you come to expect in this heated rivalry. That included Chris Kreider going back at Casey Cizikas. I love Kreider’s compete level. He doesn’t back down from anyone. Exactly what you want to see from the first-year forward. They tested Evgeni Nabokov a lot more but didn’t beat him until Zuccarello circled and caught a sliding Cal Clutterbuck which opened a crossing seam. Then Staal pinched down and found a wide open Brassard for the game clincher. The Islanders never recovered. After Lundqvist was bumped, Carl Hagelin made an outlet for Callahan, who then passed for a cutting Richards whose shot went through Nabokov. Ryan McDonagh added an empty netter with one second left.

BATTLE NOTES: With the win, it allowed the Rangers to take the season series 3-2. Hard to fathom that they won’t see the Islanders again unless it’s in the postseason. The Isles have dropped five straight and are last in the Metro with 50 points. They’re still in it but need to put a good stretch together before the break. … Rangers controlled faceoffs winning 36 of 63 including Brassard (10-and-5) and Derek Stepan bouncing back by winning 12 of 18. Cizikas was the Isles’ best going 6 for 10 while John Tavares was held off the score sheet losing 11 of 19 mostly against Stepan. … Both clubs blocked shots combining for 33. The Rangers held a slight edge 18-15 paced by McDonagh and Dan Girardi (4 apiece). Andrew MacDonald led the Islanders with four. … Rick Nash was again held without a goal but recorded seven shots and missed another seven. … Islanders are off also until February 4 when they visit the Caps. Their remaining schedule before Sochi also includes home dates Feb. 6 vs Calgary and Feb. 8 vs Colorado. … Rangers host Colorado 2/4, Edmonton 2/6 and visit Pittsburgh 2/7.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Derick Brassard, NYR (game-winning goal at 12:14 of 3rd-9th of season, game high 8 shots, 10 for 15 on draws, +1 in 14:40)

2nd Star-Marc Staal, NYR (2 assists, takeaway, blocked shot, +2 in 22:43-another stellar game from him and Stalman +3)

1st Star-Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (38 saves incl. 18/19 in 2nd-best player again)