Ryan McDonagh blocks a shot as Henrik Lundqvist and Wayne Simmonds watch.
AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

Right now, things couldn’t be much better. In a statement game against an old nemesis under the NBC spotlight, the Rangers soared past the Flyers 3-1 to win their season high fifth straight. Ryan McDonagh scored again and Henrik Lundqvist was strong in net making 30 saves to push them three points up on Philadelphia for second place with eight games left.

”It was huge. I thought we played a really strong game,” Lundqvist said after being at his best early stopping all 15 Flyer shots in a busy first period. ”We just have to keep going, not think too much, just keep on our details.”

The latest test came against a potential first round opponent. It’s no secret that the Rangers are battling the Flyers for second in the Metropolitan Division and potential home ice. Most notably, by defeating them in regulation it gave them a needed cushion as they embark on a pivotal four-game Northwestern trip which begins Friday in Calgary. The Flyers still have two extra games remaining. The Rangers hold the first tiebreaker with two more regulation/overtime wins (37) than their old Patrick rival (35).

”It’s going to pay off to not make it too complicated for ourselves or think about the standings,” Lundqvist added of a tight playoff picture that includes a four-way tie in points (80) between Columbus, Detroit, Washington and Toronto. The Blue Jackets and Red Wings are the final two wild card leaders due to more ROW and extra games remaining.

That doesn’t concern the Rangers, who are playing their best hockey despite the mysterious lack of production from Martin St. Louis. He went a fourth consecutive game without a point and doesn’t have a goal in his first 12 games as a Blueshirt. At some point, that has to change.  Unless he’s saving it for the playoffs. They still have to get there first.

While St. Louis continues to struggle, others have stepped up. Not surprisingly, McDonagh boosted his Norris case by scoring his 14th goal. As usual, it was another game-winner during a torrid stretch that’s seen him tally 13 points over his last 12 games.

”For any team to win, you need your top players playing at a high level,” Alain Vigneault said. ”[Lundqvist] has found his game, and Ryan McDonagh has just been a force out there. He’s got to be getting some consideration for the Norris (Trophy) the way he is playing offensively and defensively.”

It hasn’t just been their top players. The fourth line continues to make key contributions. Derek Dorsett and Dominic Moore each scored. Playing a second straight game in place of Daniel Carcillo, Dorsett opened the scoring with his fourth in front. Brian Boyle set it up. It was the extent of their offense in a period largely controlled by the Flyers. They spent a good chunk in the Rangers zone but came away empty due to the brilliant play of Lundqvist. With Hartford recall J.T. Miller in the box, he was at his best denying a dangerous opponent that threw the kitchen sink at him.

”Philly dominated us as far as shots, and they got some chances on that power play at the end,” Vigneault noted. “But that is when your goaltender has to come up big.

”When we had some breakdowns, he was the difference.”

Having robbed former Islander Mark Streit of a goal with a big glove save through traffic, Lundqvist stoned Ranger killer Wayne Simmonds in front early in the second. Soon after, McDonagh made a great defensive play intercepting a clear and then skated in and fired a laser top shelf past Steve Mason. The unassisted tally put the Rangers up 2-0. They played a better period outshooting the Flyers and 17-10.

”We were able to catch them throwing pucks, and our D and everybody did a good job keeping pucks alive,” McDonagh said. ”We really wore them down in the offensive zone.”

Moore gave the Rangers some breathing room when he got a piece of a Kevin Klein shot from the right point and had the puck trickle through Mason over the goal line. He’s been playing well. When Glen Sather signed him last summer, it was a no brainer. His second stint on Broadway has again demonstrated why the former anchor of the HMO Line is easy to root for. He brings a tireless work ethic and fills his role nicely.

The Flyers tried to mix it up late. Despite the common tactics, they only were able to break Lundqvist’s shutout. Off a Claude Giroux faceoff win, Jakub Voracek one-timed a Streit feed past Lundqvist cutting it to 3-1 with 1:53 left. It was as close as they would get despite Simmonds and Scott Hartnell’s antics.