The Reawakening Of The Rangers Was A Sight To Behold

It's a start for the Rangers, to be sure. But can they finish it?

The Maven is talking about making the playoffs; nothing more. That has to be the theme – PLAYOFFS, OR BUST!

Beating New Jersey in overtime last night, Peter Laviolette's sextet actually LOOKED like a playoff team while strange things were happening. A few of them follow:

* WHERE'S IGOR? THERE'S IGOR: Sir Shesterkin came out of hibernation after a mystery ailment respite. He made 21 saves and may reveal his mystery ailment before the year is up. He's back and that's what matters.

* PLAY REMPE, WIN WITH REMPE: When the skating giraffe is in the lineup, chances are the Rangers win. Exhibit A was available last night at The Garden. As usual, The Remper's ice time was a carefully rationed 7:47 and he stayed out of trouble. What more can we ask of the gorgeous giant?

* SLINGIN' SAM, THE OT MAN: The pride of Markham, Ontario, Sam Carrick proved that anybody can score an overtime goal. It was a career first. (He wins the night's Best Supporting Actor prize.)

* MAKE MINE, MIKA: I kid you not, Magical Z looked like he turned back the calendar a couple of years and is finding ice where – previously this season – he was finding brick walls.

* SWIPER THE FOX ACTUALLY SCORED: Up until yesterday, Agile Adam had not scored a real goal -- except an empty-netter – but last night he finally became a genuine lamplighter. (About time!)

With this sterling one-game winning streak, the Beloved Blueshirts jet to Vegas where the Islanders just blanked the Golden Knights.

"Beating New Jersey," says The Old Scout, "the Rangers looked better than they have in months, especially with the power play working."

But they haven't won two in a row since Hector was a pup. Beat Vegas and The Maven will believe that the Beloved Ones are alive and well.

“I think we're starting to get our identity back a bit. Now we're back to being one of those teams that teams know it's going to be a hard night when they come into MSG.”

The Rangers will be back in action on Saturday night against the Vegas Golden Knights.