Postgame: New York Rangers Obliterate Tampa Bay Lightning, 8-2

For the first time since 2001, the New York Rangers have scored eight goals in a single game, this time coming against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Madison Square Garden. Not only did eight shots find the back of the net, but those shots came off of eight different players’ sticks. If the Blueshirts needed a turning point in the season, there is no doubt that the last two dominating performances of the Montreal Canadiens and the Tampa Bay Lightning present them with that opportunity, and tonight’s debacle will surely be one that will be stored in the memory bank for a very long time.

The flood gates opened a minute and 26 seconds after the opening faceoff when Brandon Dubinsky followed up on his own rebound to score his third goal in two games and his 11th on the season. This came soon after Aaron Voros squared off with Zenon Konopka at center ice 10 seconds in.

A defensive mistake by the Bolts led to Marian Gaborik and Vinny Prospal breaking in on a 2 on 1. Tampa defenseman Mike Lundin shifted over to eliminate Gaborik from the play, allowing the former Lightning Prospal to glide right in and backhand one through the legs of Antero Niittymaki.

Vincent Lecavalier put his team on the board at 17:05 of the first when he banked a shot off of Chris Higgins and into the net, when meanwhile, Henrik Lundqvist had Alex Tanguay lying on top of him in the crease. Nonetheless, the goal counted and the Blueshirts lead was cut to 2-1. Chris Drury answered rather quickly with a goal of his own, snapping a loose puck from the slot to the twine to give New York a 3-1 lead entering the first intermission.

It took only five minutes into the second period for things to pick up where they left off, as Marian Gaborik made a fabulous play in the offensive zone to gain control and feed Dan Girardi, who was positioned at the point. Girardi let a wrister fly, which was deflected in by a Tampa player, going down as the usual stay-at-home defenseman’s fifth of the season.

Hobey Baker blue-liner Matt Gilroy was found with the puck on his blade later in the stanza, and while coming up the boards, made a clever play to throw the puck at the net, realizing Enver Lisin was crashing hard. Sure enough, the puck came right out to Enver where the speedster easily deposited his sixth on the year. Tampa did end up getting a second tally on the board towards the end of that period, when sophomore star Steven Stamkos made a glorious pass to Alex Tanguay to make it 5-2.

The VERSUS crew made it clear heading into the third that the Rangers have not registered six goals in back-to-back tilts in nearly three years. As a fan, I wondered if they had what it took to break that streak. Well, to my surprise, they had more than just one more in them as the home team went on to pot three more before the final buzzer.

Marc Staal received a perfect pass from Brandon Dubinsky in the offensive zone, and Staalsy sent a shot low short-side to give New York a 6-2 lead. For the first time this season, and for the first time since Nov. 8, 2008, Aaron Voros scored a goal while in the lineup. Think that is bizarre? How about having Chris Higgins bury a puck for only the second time on home ice in the same game?

Since being reunited, the first line comprised of Marian Gaborik, Vinny Prospal, and Brandon Dubinsky has been red hot with a total of 16 points in the last two games. Marian Gaborik alone has seven of those points, breaking out of his mini-slump compiling a career-high four assists in tonight’s victory.

Prospal, despite taking a few games to get back into his groove, has a goal and three assists in the past three days, and Dubinsky has recorded three goals and two assists in that span as well. Needless to say, the Rangers' top line is producing majorly for them right now, and if they can stay like this, will become one of the hottest trios in hockey.

Captain Chris Drury now has two goals in two games and linemate Ryan Callahan has five points in those same two games. Again, here is the secondary scoring for the Blueshirts that needs to be present on a nightly basis in order for them to succeed. It may not seem like it, but when guys like Drury contribute on the scoreboard even the slightest bit, it goes a long way in capturing a victory.

With both Enver Lisin and Aaron Voros playing tremendously in the three games they have not been watching from the press box, I am wondering when we will see winger Ales Kotalik back in the lineup. Voros, after his second scrap of the night, this time with Ryan Malone, even received chants of his name from the Garden faithful; I never thought I would see the day. Kotalik and Brashear must be worried if their jobs are in jeopardy right about now.

The Rangers also got contributions from their defense tonight, including a goal each from Marc Staal and Dan Girardi, an assist each from Del Zotto and Redden, and two assists from Matt Gilroy. The Bluesirts are beginning to play Tortorella hockey and a lot of that stems from what this defensive squad has been able to do lately, not only in their own zone, but in the neutral zone, and on offense as well.

Coming off of the two most important wins of the entire season, the Rangers will now head out to Philadelphia where they will go head to head with the rival Flyers on Thursday night. Philly was the club who embarrassed the Blueshirts on home ice back on Dec. 30, and I believe revenge will surely be on the minds of New York heading into that match.

Until then, savor all of these goals, as we do not know how long the uncontrolled scoring will last. Also, with this win, the Rangers now have sole possession of fifth place in the Eastern Conference for the time being.