Rangers smoking hot

The Rangers have gone on a hot streak that has them nipping at the heels of the Montreal Canadiens for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

With the streak of 8 wins in a row, and with a 9-1-0 record overall in their last 10 games, the Rangers sit just three points off the Canadiens lead for the top spot. Today's win give the Rangers a 5 point cushin on the pesky Penguins for the Atlantic Division crown with the Penguins having 2 games in hand.

"It feels like after the deadline, things seemed to gel for us. Getting Mikko back has been a big addition. He knows the system from his time here earlier in the year. Mike Ribiero has helped stabalize the center position and we are not getting scoring from both of our top lines. Chris Stewart has come in and played well. Markov has chipped in at a point a game pace. And enough can't be said about Jonathan Quick. Holding down the fort to the tune of a .910 Save Percentage and a 2.08 Goals Against average, both in the top 10 this year for goalies."

Those were the sentiments shared by the Rangers coach Todd McLellan.

"Todd has done a wonderful job of getting this team prepared for each and every game. He seems to be making all the right decisions behind the bench, the team loves playing for him. They have continued to win all season. When you are this deep into the season and you have only scored 201 goals, to have 47 wins and just 21 losses means that the guys have embraced the team concept and system and that you haev full belief in what we are trying to accomplish here. It's a great feeling and it's fun to watch night in and night out."

Those were the comments from Rangers GM Phil Grote.