Talbot Time: Cam Talbot makes a save on Antoine Vermette.
AP Photo by Rick Scuteri/Getty Images

The final score said Rangers 5 Coyotes 1. If not for the play of Cam Talbot, it could’ve been a different story. For a second straight game, the valuable backup who took over for an injured Henrik Lundqvist was strong making 34 saves in their third consecutive victory. None bigger than his clutch stop to deny Tobias Rieder on a penalty shot with 13:40 left in regulation to preserve a one-goal lead.

”Cam’s been the backbone of our team,” goalscorer Rick Nash said after beating Mike Smith 1:19 into the third period to break a 1-1 tie. His league-leading 35th was a beauty. He took a Kevin Klein outlet and broke in on Smith beating him short side off the goalpost.

For two periods, nothing separated these teams. Even with a heavy puck possession advantage at times, the Rangers could only muster one goal on Smith. Chris Kreider, who was flying all night- took a hard Derek Stepan feed and went around Arizona defenseman Michael Stone and went backhand deke for his 13th at 55 seconds of the second.

To their credit, the Coyotes fought back. They got some great chances but a sharp Talbot held them off as long as he could. Finally, trade target Antoine Vermette beat Tanner Glass to a loose puck in front and jammed home his 13th from Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Lucas Lessio. Glass was abysmal most of the game. Every time Alain Vigneault sent him out, the Yotes countered and got scoring chances. One which they converted. Vigneault emphasizes rolling four lines. But you cannot have Glass and Lee Stempniak out at the end of a period in a tie game. They almost got burned.

The difference between the Rangers and Coyotes is talent. Our team has it while they don’t. Arizona has some nice players. Lessio and Rieder impressed. On the blueline, they boast two studs in Ekman-Larsson and Keith Yandle. But there’s little else especially with Martin Hanzal out for the season. Shane Doan is near retirement. Until wiz kid Max Domi gets to the Desert, it’s going to be a long climb. Most disturbing was how many Ranger fans celebrated our four-goal third period explosion. The Yotes drew 14,719 at Gila River Arena. If only they had more fans. A better team would help. They’ll be sellers at the deadline.

The third was where the difference in skill level was on display. First, Nash broke in and fired a rocket off the bar for number 35. After Talbot stifled Rieder’s five-hole attempt, Derick Brassard took an awful delay of game minor. It didn’t matter.

Instead, Kevin Hayes scored another highlight reel goal. This time, it was his first career shorthanded goal. A game removed from a brilliant rush and finish at Colorado, he stole the puck inside his own blueline and broke in with Glass of all people. Using Glass as a decoy, Hayes was able to take advantage of Ekman-Larsson’s stick breaking. Faking pass, Ekman-Larsson went down and Hayes fooled everyone by shooting catching Smith leaning to make it 3-1 with 8:06 remaining.

A couple of minutes later, Marc Staal scored into a vacated net from Derek Stepan and Martin St. Louis. That line with Kreider, who was a beast buzzed for a long time. Finally, during a wild scramble Stepan pushed a loose puck to Staal for an easy one-timer with Smith out of position.

During another bizarre sequence where the Coyotes were lost defensively, Stempniak took a Dan Girardi feed in the slot and had his shot bank off Smith and in. It was his first goal since Jan. 8. Also his first point in 14 games. Astonishingly, Glass actually was on the ice for two Rangers goals making him a plus. His first plus-rating dating back to Nov. 23 when he picked up his only point in a win over Montreal. He’s a team worst minus-16. No other current Ranger on the roster is a minus.

Most notably, the game was a milestone for Vigneault who became the 21st coach to win 500 games.

”I feel very privileged and fortunate to have all those good players through the years,” Vigneault said.

For all the flak I give him, Vigneault is a good coach. He’s done well with the roster. Especially allowing Hayes to grow as a player. His rapid improvement could be the key to our chances this postseason. When the Rangers visit the first place Islanders tomorrow, it’s that Hayes line with Carl Hagelin and J.T. Miller that could be a big difference from the first three lopsided meetings. Their ability to skate, forecheck and create offense could put the Islanders on the defensive.

Talbot will make his seventh straight start. So far, he’s 4-1-1 with a 2.67 goals-against-average and a .904 save percentage. While the numbers aren’t overly impressive, he got little support in at least four. The Rangers haven’t played well in front of him. They are still guilty of too many turnovers and defensive lapses. They’ll need to be at their best to finally solve the Islanders.

NY Puck 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Kevin Klein, NYR (2 assists, 6 hits, 2 blocked shots, +1 in 22:48-remarkable)

2nd Star-Kevin Hayes, NYR (1st career shorthanded goal-10th of season, +1 in 16:15-dominant)

1st Star-Cam Talbot, NYR (34 saves incl. a momentum turning save on Rieder penalty shot)

Notes: Dan Boyle missed his 17th game due to illness. John Moore filled in taking 23 shifts (16:45) going plus-one with 3 missed shots and 2 hits. He and partner Matt Hunwick were an adventure with each getting caught leading to dangerous Arizona chances. Fortunately, they didn’t cash in. … Stepan had a strong game tallying two assists and winning 7 of 13 faceoffs. Much better work from him in the circle.