The Rangers returned from the Christmas holiday break and picked up right where they left off by winning their fifth consecutive game, blanking the Islanders 3-0, Monday night at Madison Square Garden. With the victory the Rangers slipped past the idle Boston Bruins into first place overall in the Eastern Conference with 48 points, one better than the defending-Stanley Cup champs. Henrik Lundqvist shut out the Islanders for the fourth time in his career, earning his third shutout this season and the 38th of his career. He was at his best in the second half of the second period when the Isles were buzzing, outshooting the Blueshirts 10-2 at one stretch. Carl Hagelin scored both of the Rangers goals---his 5th and 6th of the season---for the second multi-goal game of his young NHL career. Ryan Callahan and Michael Del Zotto assisted on both of Hagelin's goals. Del Zotto has now recorded 14 points (2 goals, 12 assists) in his last 15 games. Marian Gaborik added his league-best 22nd goal into an empty net with 2:28 left to play in the third period. The win was the Rangers second in five days at The Garden over the Islanders, and they are now 3-1-0 against their Long Island rivals this season. Share your thoughts on the game below.
