Finally, good news for the New York Rangers: A strong effort put an end to a three-game losing streak.
Now the stage is set for the Blueshirts to build on momentum from Wednesday's 2-0 victory over the Washington Capitals.
One part of the equation was the play of Henrik Lundqvist, who looked anything but regal in his previous starts. Bolstered by solid relief work Saturday, he made 22 saves in shutting out the Caps. It was a game in which Lundqvist saw both himself and the team in positive terms.
"I felt like we came in here with a lot of confidence knowing that we can beat them," Lundqvist told the New York Daily News after Wednesday's victory. "I just felt like I knew what was going to happen. The structure we had in our own end was so good, and the way we played helped me a lot."
Brad Richards echoed Lundqvist's comments, saying the team "was more in sync."
That showed on special teams. The Capitals' league-best power play failed to score in four attempts. And while the Rangers also came up empty with the man advantage in going 0-for-3, they did apply pressure.
"I love our power play right now," Richards told the Daily News. "Even (though) it doesn't score tonight, we have a purpose to it and everybody knows exactly their role on it. There's no guessing out there or hoping. Guys go to their spots, win battles to get the puck, and then we're bombing away."
He also pointed to Lundqvist's work.
"Tonight Hank was on, and we didn't give them a whole lot," Richards said.
There was more good news Thursday: Forward Carl Hagelin moved closer to his expected Oct. 29 return from shoulder surgery by being cleared for contact. Hagelin should resume practicing this week, the New York Post reported.
Coming off a difficult swing in the Western Conference, the Rangers looked invigorated after a day off and two solid practices, the Daily News said.
"Our guys competed real hard, which is the key to any game," coach Alain Vigneault said after Wednesday's game, "and we did a lot of right things with the puck. And when we didn't have the puck, we did a lot of the right things. So we'll take our first win in Eastern time, and go from there."
Vigneault chose to credit his goalie after the Rangers won for only the second time in six games this season. Their season-opening road swing still has three more stops.
"To go down 5-on-3 and get a couple of nice saves from Hank — that sort of helped us get a little momentum," Vigneault said.
The Rangers lost their previous three games by a combined 20-5. They played Wednesday without ailing defenseman Michael del Zotto, and winger Rick Nash missed a third consecutive game because of a head injury from a hit by San Jose's Brad Stuart last week.
With their first home game more than 10 days off -- they play the Montreal Canadiens Oct. 28 -- the Rangers have a foundation. Saturday's visit to the New Jersey Devils will be the next step.