NHL Playoff Schedule 2012: Keys to a NY Rangers Victory over Ottawa Senators

The New York Rangers look to take a two-game series lead on the Ottawa Senators tonight at 7:00 P.M. at Madison Square Garden. 

The Blueshirts will need to outperform the Senators in multiple facets of the game if they want to take control of this opening round series.

Here are three keys to the Rangers coming out on top tonight.

1. Henrik Lundqvist

This is the biggest key to the Rangers getting a win tonight. Henrik Lundqvist must outperform his Senators counterpart, Craig Anderson.

King Henrik was huge for the Rangers on Thursday night in the opening game, as he made 30 saves and kept the Senators off the board for the first two periods.

Lundqvist has been the team's MVP this season, and there's no doubt about that. The 30-year-old Swede posted just a 1.97 goals against average this season and has won countless games for the Rangers.

Above all other instances, Lundqvist demonstrated his importance in the first period of Thursday's game, keeping the Senators from scoring in a first period in which the Rangers could only muster one goal despite numerous chances.

If the Rangers want to grab the series by the horns, they'll need stellar play from their goaltender.

2. Carl Hagelin and Michael Del Zotto

Carl Hagelin, 23, and Michael Del Zotto, 21, each played in the first playoff game of his young career on Thursday. 

Surprisingly, both players didn't wet the bed in their first taste of postseason action. Hagelin notched just under 14 minutes of ice-time, but was able to grab an assist in the Rangers lone goal of the third period.

Del Zotto played over 20 minutes. While he didn't rack up any stats other than a couple of shots on goal and a hit, his presence was felt throughout the game.

You know what you're going to get out of guys like Brad Richards, Marian Gaborik, Ryan Callahan and Lundqvist. That means for the Rangers to pull away in the series, they'll need strong play from Del Zotto and Hagelin, as the two players are one of just a couple question marks the Rangers have.

3. Defense

The Rangers' true saving grace this season has been their defense. Dan Girardi and Ryan McDonagh blocked 185 and 182 shots this season, respectively. That's good for top-10 in the NHL.

Another x-factor for the Rangers defense is Marc Staal, who managed to play in just 46 games this season due to injury, but blocked 68 shots in just over half a season.

Staal is a great defender—one of the best on the team when he's at 100 percent. It's crucial for him to step up tonight and play like the Staal from years past for the Rangers to win.