Marty St. Louis celebrates his goal with Rick Nash and Marc Staal.
AP Photo by Frank Franklin II/Getty Images

Whatever was wrong over the weekend didn’t carry over last night. Responding with the same character they demonstrated in a memorable second round comeback from 3-1 down, the Rangers dominated the Pens easily winning 5-0 to end a two-game losing streak.

It was much needed. Especially following a listless performance that led to a closed door players only meeting Sunday. All we were looking for is a little more passion. From the very first shift, the Rangers showed they were ready to do battle with the division-leading Pens who entered on a seven-game win streak. By night’s end, that along with all the goals and a lengthy penalty kill streak were over. So outplayed, they looked lost or still suffering flashbacks.

Derick Brassard, who scored one of the five goals on the power play- pointed out that they were ready because they knew who they were up against. Similarly, Henrik Lundqvist who was brilliant making 33 saves for his third shutout, noted that even up four after two periods, he didn’t feel safe.

”You never know. They can turn things around so fast,” he said after earning number one star.

”A hockey game can change so fast. You have to be smart, especially when you play one of the best teams.”

Perhaps the biggest play of the night was made by Tanner Glass. The much maligned forward saved a goal when he got his stick on a loose puck that slipped behind Lundqvist. At the time, the game was still scoreless despite the Rangers outshooting the Pens 9-3. They buzzed around Marc-Andre Fleury’s net from the outset forcing him into some difficult stops. Despite zero help from his team, he kept his team in it as long as possible. What if the Pens had grabbed the lead?

”It would have given us a big boost,” Penguins coach Mike Johnston said, ”but at the same time, we didn’t have the intensity we were talking about to get on those loose pucks.”

From a psychological standpoint, it might’ve really given them a boost. Instead, Sidney Crosby and teammates showed frustration. It was as if it was a repeat of the second round. In fact, Crosby threw down Mats Zuccarello less than a minute in taking an undisciplined penalty. Even though they didn’t score on the power play, the Rangers looked so good testing Fleury that it became apparent what kind of game it would be.

”Not one guy in this room was happy or was going to accept the way we played the last game,” Marc Staal said after picking up two assists and rebounding from a poor effort against Edmonton. ”We wanted to respond. We know what kind of team we are. We just have to get the confidence to play like that consistently.”

Mats Zuccarello gets congrats at the bench following his goal in the first period.
AP Photo by Frank Franklin II/Getty Images

What kind of team were they? The kind that won every battle, outscored and out-checked a bewildered opponent who entered with only two regulation losses. That included winning key faceoffs. Less than a minute after Glass saved a goal, Derek Stepan won an offensive draw cleanly back to Zuccarello, who rifled home his third drawing first blood. It didn’t take long for Marty St. Louis to strike steering in a beautiful Rick Nash pass for his fifth which led to Johnston calling timeout.

It didn’t work. Instead, off some strong work from ex-Pen Lee Stempniak, a Kevin Hayes pass tipped out to Kevin Klein, who blasted home his third at 14:47 for a 3-0 lead. Since his poor start, Klein has been much better. Credit Alain Vigneault for making a change on the opening draw restoring Klein with John Moore, who had a good return following his suspension. His skating and puck movement allowed Vigneault to drop down Michael Kostka (17 shifts-11:58) and Matt Hunwick (20 shifts-15:30). Hunwick spent part of the game with Dan Girardi, who also was reunited with Staal.

Everything clicked. That included Jesper Fast, who dressed in place of Anthony Duclair and played on an effective checking line with Glass and Dominic Moore. They generated forecheck and Glass even had a couple of scoring chances to go with a game high six hits. However, he did catch Simon Despres from behind drawing a boarding minor. It looked like more of a charge but the heavy hit was a penalty regardless. Even with the anti-Glass contingent still out in full force on Twitter, Stepan stole the puck from Kris Letang and set up Nash for a shorthanded goal. It was his league-leading 12th.

Even on a night Hayes had a goal wiped out for an erroneous incidental contact from Toronto, Brassard scored on the ensuing power play for the only goal in the second. He took advantage of an untimely Steve Downie roughing minor driving a high riser from the left circle past Fleury. So far, Brassard has six goals and seven assists in the first year of a new contract that pays him an average of $5 million over the next five seasons. Aside from some defensive mishaps, he’s earning it.

There was one scare when Chris Kreider accidentally collided with Stepan. Earlier in the contest, he also ran into Blake Comeau. Sometimes, Kreider doesn’t pay attention. He needs to be more cognizant and keep his head up. Thankfully, Stepan was able to joke about it afterwards as was his linemate.

All in all, it was by far the Rangers’ best performance so far. They upped their record to 7-6-2. Next up are the struggling Avalanche, who were buried by the Islanders 6-0. That’s one they’ll want to take care of tomorrow with a rematch against the Pens in Pittsburgh Saturday.

NY Puck 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Dan Girardi, NYR (assist, 3 SOG, 3 blocks, 2 hits, +2 in 23:37)

2nd Star-Derek Stepan, NYR (assists, 11-and-7 on draws, +2 in 16:37)

1st Star-Rick Nash, NYR (league-leading 12th, 2 assists, 6 SOG, +2 in 16:23)