Step and Nash: Derek Stepan and Rick Nash celebrate a goal. Each scored twice in a Rangers 5-2 win over the Penguins.
AP Photo by Gene J. Puskar/Getty Images

The Rangers had no problem with the Penguins yesterday. Rick Nash and Derek Stepan each scored twice in a 5-2 win at Consol Energy Center. Despite playing a 12:30 game in what amounted to three games in three and a half days, they were able to handle the Pens to win the season series going 3-0-1.

After having gone three consecutive games without a point, Nash erased that quickly by beating Marc-Andre Fleury on a breakaway 26 seconds in to set the tone. He took advantage of an errant pass that forced Kris Letang into a turnover at the Ranger blueline. Nash cruised in and fired his 27th past Fleury.

”It shows the kind of character we have on this team to bounce back after a tough home loss and another loss on the road to Boston,” Nash said after adding his league-leading 28th. ”To come back and get these two wins and in a tough place to play in, it’s a huge deal.”

Nash was referring to consecutive losses to the Islanders and Bruins by identical 3-0 margins. They weren’t good in either. Even in the 2-1 win at Columbus, the Rangers gave up too many chances and didn’t register a shot the final 16-plus minutes. They relied heavily on Henrik Lundqvist, who’s back in form. He stopped 32 shots to win for the 13th time in his last 15 starts.

”It’s a good challenge every time to come here and play them,” Lundqvist said. ”A lot of times it’s a fast game. Because we respect their skill it looks like we try to play a smart game and make good decisions with the puck.”

Derick Brassard also had a good afternoon tallying a goal and assist. His rebound of a Kevin Klein wide shot that took a funny carom gave the Blueshirts a 2-0 lead. Penalty trouble allowed the Pens to get back in it. Some nice passing from Letang and David Perron resulted in Sidney Crosby beating Ryan McDonagh in front for a power play goal that cut it to 2-1.

Nash restored order early in the second when his wrist shot caromed off Pittsburgh defenseman Rob Scuderi past an unsuspecting Fleury. The Rangers then cashed in on a Simon Despres delay of game. A great cross ice feed from Martin St. Louis found a wide open Stepan, who beat Fleury through a Chris Kreider screen increasing the lead to 4-1. That chased Fleury, who allowed four goals on 17 shots. Thomas Greiss relieved him. The Pens lost their discipline taking two more penalties but our power play was unable to take advantage.

A great individual effort by Perron resulted in a highlight reel goal. After taking a Robert Bortuzzo feed, he skated through McDonagh and Dan Girardi splitting them before going five-hole on Lundqvist to cut the deficit to 4-2 with 15:46 left in regulation. But before the Pens could get any closer, Stepan intercepted a pass and then was on the receiving end of a Kreider set up for his second of the game two minutes later for the final margin. St. Louis added his second assist.

Afterwards, the Rangers made it official re-signing Marc Staal to a six-year extension worth $34.2 million. He played another strong game with two shots, four blocked shots and a plus-two rating in 18:35. Staal has used a six-week stretch to get the new contract. A nice reward for a valuable player who’s often overlooked. I’ll have more on the breakdown after.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9TNQwjloHs

NY Puck 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Derick Brassard, NYR (goal-11th, assist, ended four-game pointless streak, +3 and won 11 of 21 draws)

2nd Star-Derek Stepan, NYR (2 goals-7th, 8th, 4 SOG, 8-for-16 faceoffs-8-23-31 in 30 GP)

1st Star-Rick Nash, NYR (2 goals incl. NHL best 28th, 4 SOG, +3 in 17:54-MVP candidate)