NHL Playoffs 2012: What Went Right for the New York Rangers in Game 1

The New York Rangers successfully opened up their playoff season with a 4-2 win over the Ottawa Senators. In the game the Rangers did a lot of things right, which will allow them to carry over an edge into Saturday's Game 2.

Hitting

The Rangers were very physical against the Senators and every Ranger finished their check. By establishing a physical tone early and often, the Senators did not have much time to make decisions with the puck. The Rangers outhit the Senators by a small margin, but the physical presence early on forced the Senators to alter their strategy.

Secondary Scoring

Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik each registered a goal, but it was the game's first and third goals that gave the Rangers some major momentum. When the Rangers did everything they could to get on the scoreboard early, Craig Anderson was solid in net for Ottawa. However, determination, luck and accuracy by Ryan Callahan gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead.

Brian Boyle also benefited from a lucky bounce and deflection when he scored the game's third goal in the waning moments of the second period. Boyle ended the year with some solid consistency, and scoring a playoff goal only will further his confidence and importance to the Rangers in the playoffs.

Artem Anisimov assisted on two goals and looked very good with Derek Stepan and Callahan. The biggest concern the Rangers have is secondary scoring.

Thursday night, secondary scoring benefited the Rangers, and it is always a positive when a team doesn't need its stars to carry them.

Henrik Lundqvist

Lundqvist needed to get off to a solid start to the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He was the best goalie in the regular season, but the most common knock against his resumé is playoff inconsistency. While the Swede has been forced to carry his team for his entire career, if Lundqvist wants to be considered as a true elite netminder, coming through in the playoffs is going to be key.

Lundqvist was in great position all night and didn't give up many rebounds. He showed excellent awareness early on and came up huge when the Rangers were short-handed. Lundqvist allowed two goals, one on a odd man defensive breakdown, and another on a deflection that got past him.

Penalty Kill

The Rangers PK unit was perfect tonight. The Senators power play led by Erik Karlsson, Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek was kept off the scoresheet on the power play. The Rangers will need to continue this success because the Senators can be very lethal with a man advantage.

Erik Karlsson is a wizard with the puck and Spezza has one of the game's most underrated one-timers. Shutting the Senators down on the power play could ultimately give the Rangers a huge advantage going forward.

Three Stars of the Night

1. Henrik Lundqvist
2. Ryan Callahan
3. Artem Anisimov

The No. 1 seeded Rangers took a 1-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals and these are just some of the positives they will take with them into Game 2. Having home-ice advantage was a big plus for the Rangers in their playoff opener, and they will look to capture a second win Saturday at Madison Square Garden.

Tom Urtz Jr. is an NHL Featured Columnist.

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