With just seven games remaining, the Rangers are closing in on a division title while chasing home ice. Currently second in the East with 101 points, they trail Montreal by a point with two games at hand. They enter tonight’s match at Winnipeg on a two-game losing streak. Having been badly outplayed this weekend by Boston and Washington, the Blueshirts look to get back in the win column with Henrik Lundqvist making his second start.

While they continue to battle for the conference’s top seed, it’s time to vote on the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award. Named after former New York City police officer Steven McDonald, who was shot in the line of duty paralyzing him the prestigious award goes to the Ranger who goes above and beyond the call of duty. Last year’s winner was Mats Zuccarello.

This year, there are three candidates. Here are our choices.

Kiss Cam: Chris Kreider kisses Cam Talbot’s helmet following his 28-save performance in the Rangers’ 3-1 win that moved them into first.
AP Photo by Alex Brandon/Getty Images

A.Cam Talbot-Forced into the spotlight when Lundqvist went down due to a sprained blood vessel, the league’s best backup stepped up going 16-4-3 with a 2.11 goals-against-average, .931 save percentage and two shutouts vaulting them into first place. Overall, Talbot’s 20-9-4 with a 2.21 GAA, .926 save percentage and five shutouts.

Nashty Boy: Rick Nash (center) is congratulated by J.T. Miller (left) and Mats Zuccarello (right) after scoring another goal.
AP Photo by Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press

B.Rick Nash-Since the start, he’s been a constant. For the first four months, Nash was unstoppable putting up 37 goals and 58 points in the team’s first 60 games. A neck injury has limited him to three goals and seven points in 14 games this month. The team leader in goals (40), points (65), plus/minus (27), shorthanded goals (4) and game-winners (8) has been tremendous and should be up for the Selke.

Kevin Klein celebrates an overtime goal.
Getty Images/nydailynews.com

C.Kevin Klein-When Glen Sather traded Michael Del Zotto for Kevin Klein, no one could’ve predicted how well the former Predator defensive defenseman would play. A steady stay at home type with a low key approach, he’s busted out for a career high nine goals and 26 points while pacing all Blueshirts D in plus/minus (24). It’s no coincidence that the back end has struggled since he broke his arm. Undoubtedly, they’ll need a healthy Klein come postseason.

Honorable Mentions: Carl Hagelin (16-16-32 +22), Kevin Hayes (15-24-39 +15), Marc Staal (5-13-18 +17), Derick Brassard (16-39-55 15 PPP), Derek Stepan (13-36-49 in 61 GP, +20)