Clearly, they needed a win in the worst way. It didn’t matter how they got it. Even if it was against a fading division opponent, the Rangers took advantage of some gifts scoring four times in the third period to post a crucial 4-2 win over the Canes Friday night in Raleigh. For two periods, they couldn’t beat Anton Khudobin. At that point, he stopped 26 and the Carolina hosts led 1-0 on a Jordan Staal tally back in the first.

Frustration was building. Having already killed a two-man advantage, the Rangers also had to kill off a Daniel Carcillo interference minor during the second. A fourth consecutive penalty from returning diminutive forward Mats Zuccarello early in the third proved to be a turning point. Entering play, they scored two shorthanded goals to gain a point in a 3-2 overtime loss against the Maple Leafs in Martin St. Louis’ Ranger debut Wednesday. Ryan McDonagh and Dominic Moore scored. It would be McDonagh again tallying for a second straight game shorthanded thanks to a nice cross ice feed from Rick Nash. It was 11th of the season.

But before they could gain momentum, Jeff Skinner got behind the defense and was hooked from behind by Anton Stralman leading to a penalty shot. Anyone who’s seen Henrik Lundqvist this season knows he can’t stop a beach ball when facing an attacking player one on one. Odd considering all the shootout success he’s had for his career. Before he even moved, Skinner rifled one home for his 24th restoring a one-goal Carolina lead with 7:53 left. A furious Lundqvist shoved the puck out of the net. This season, he’s allowed all four shooters to beat him on penalty shots. Toronto OT hero Tyler Bozak did it last game. Whatever the problem is, he needs to fix it soon.

Nine seconds later, Chris Kreider got into it with Brett Bellemore post scrum leading to matching roughing minors. That put the teams at four on four opening more ice. It benefited the Rangers who responded well to adversity. On a great keep from John Moore, who played one of his better games, Nash took a Derek Stepan pass and centered for a cutting Moore but the puck never touched his stick. Instead deflecting off a Cane in front for Nash’s team-leading 20th. The big goal came 1:17 after Skinner’s penalty shot goal tying the game with 6:36 remaining.

Carolina gift wrapped the victory by taking two delay of game minors 32 seconds apart. After Ron Hainsey was already in the box, a diving Bellemore accidentally cleared the puck over the glass giving the Rangers a five on three. Despite Kirk Muller’s protests that St. Louis hooked Bellemore down, the Rangers were patient with the puck before finally cashing in. They had trouble getting shots through against the Canes’ triangle. But after playing catch with Brad Richards, St. Louis settled the puck down and threaded the needle across to Stepan for a power play goal with 2:46 left. Stepan’s 11th came from St. Louis and Richards. For St. Louis, it was his first point as a Blueshirt. It came in the clutch. Exactly what you expect from a former Hart winner who has a penchant for delivering timely goals. This time, it was his playmaking allowing him to record his 33rd assist of the season.

Following a Dan Girardi clear that Zuccarello helped chip out, Carl Hagelin sealed it by scoring into an empty net at 19:19. He played a key role killing penalties. Hagelin logged 2:30 while shorthanded. He got 25 shifts and played 14 minutes. With former captain Ryan Callahan now a Lightning, Hagelin has an even larger role. Already a key penalty killer, he’s one of the team’s best two-way forwards. Two days after playing with St. Louis and Richards, he saw time on the third line with Derick Brassard and Benoit Pouliot. Alain Vigneault opted to try Zuccarello with St. Louis and Richards. The trio had solid chemistry.

Lundqvist had to make one last big stop when the D fell asleep allowing Drayson Bowman to break in. But Lundqvist made a huge glove save with 22 seconds left. Maybe that will be a confidence boost. He’s struggled on breakaways. Given the high risk style the Rangers are playing, there are going to be moments when they need their franchise goalie to come up big. Especially if Vigneault isn’t going to play Cam Talbot much down the stretch.

The Rangers have another big game tomorrow against the Red Wings at MSG. It’s a 12:30 start on NBC. I won’t be around. But will have a recap later. Currently, they’re tied for second with the Flyers in the Metro. Each club has 72 points and 30 regulation/overtime wins (ROW). Philadelphia is second due to one less game played. They make that up tonight with a visit to Air Canada Centre versus the Leafs. A busy Saturday schedule already has two games going with the Senators leading the Jets 5-2 trying to stay in the race. The Devils try to bounce back from a 7-4 loss at Detroit when they host the Canes. St. Louis’ former team the Lightning look to avoid four straight losses when the Bruins visit. The Caps play host to the Coyotes and the Blue Jackets are in Nashville.

EAST PLAYOFF RACE

Metro Division

1.Penguins 63 GP 88 Pts 37 ROW

2.Flyers      63 GP 72 Pts  30 ROW

3.Rangers   64 GP 72 Pts 30 ROW

Atlantic Division

1.Bruins       62 GP 85 Pts 39 ROW

2.Canadiens 65 GP 77 Pts 30 ROW

3.Leafs          64 GP 74 Pts 24 ROW

Wild Card

1.Lightning  63 GP 73 Pts 28 ROW

2.Red Wings 63 GP 71 Pts 25 ROW

3.Blue Jackets 63 GP 69 Pts 28 ROW

4.Capitals        64 GP 68 Pts 21 ROW

5.Devils           64 GP 67 Pts 27 ROW

6.Senators       63 GP 65 Pts 24 ROW

7.Hurricanes   63 GP 63 Pts 26 ROW