Rangers show Cup champs the power of hard work

2010-11 Game No. 11; Home Game No. 6		Rangers' Record: 6-4-1
VIDEO: HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME
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GAME RECAP By Jim Cerny, newyorkrangers.com Prior to Monday’s game at The Garden against the Chicago Blackhawks, almost to a man the Rangers said that playing the defending Stanley Cup champions would be a major test as to where the Blueshirts stand as a team so far this season. Consider then that after 60 grueling hard-fought minutes, the Rangers passed the test with flying colors, skating to an exciting 3-2 victory over the Blackhawks, doing so the only true way possible -- as a team, not as a group of individuals. It is, in part, what made the win so rewarding for the Blueshirts. “Everyone contributed, and the biggest strength to me is that this is a team and everybody is playing for one another,” said Rangers head coach John Tortorella. “That’s a good thing here early in the year, and we have to keep building on it. This was a good one to win.” The Rangers’ No. 1 line of Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov, and Ryan Callahan did much of the offensive damage, combining for six points on the night, with Dubinsky leading the way with a pair of goals. And goaltender Henrik Lundqvist took yet another star turn with a 33-save performance. It wasn’t just the top end of the roster that helped produce the win. Erik Christensen scored the game-winning goal, assisted by the hard-working Brandon Prust; Steve Eminger had a team-high six of the team’s 35 hits on the night; Dan Girardi joined Callahan in leading the Blueshirts with six blocked shots apiece on a night the team blocked another 33 in front of Lundqvist. The list of those who contributed something important to the ... • READ THE FULL STORY | PHOTO GALLERY

PHOTO OF THE GAME STAT OF THE GAME The Rangers were credited with 35 hits and 33 blocked shots on the night, led by Steve Eminger’s game-high, six hits and Dan Girardi’s six blocked shots. The Rangers now lead the NHL in both hits and blocked shots with 327 hits and 223 blocked shots on the season.  Girardi is tied for the NHL lead with 41 blocked shots in 2010-11. THREE STARS (selected by the local media) 1. B. Dubinsky 2. R. Callahan 3. A. Anisimov

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THE BIGGER PICTURE If Philadelphia had lost to Carolina on Monday, the Rangers would now be in first place in the division and third in the conference. This team is outperforming pundits' expectations without three key players, including top scoring threat Marian Gaborik.

RANGERS LEADERS Time on Ice -- Girardi (27:23) Shots -- Boyle, Christensen (3) Hits -- Eminger (6) Blocked Shots -- Girardi, Callahan (6) Takeaways -- Avery, Staal (2) Faceoffs Taken -- Boyle (14)

NEW YORK RANGERS LINEUP VS. CHICAGO
FORWARD LINES
Left Wing	Center	Right Wing
Brandon Dubinsky	Artem Anisimov	Ryan Callahan
Sean Avery	Brian Boyle	Ruslan Fedotenko
Alex Frolov	Erik Christensen	Brandon Prust
Todd White	Derek Stepan	Evgeny Grachev

DEFENSE PAIRINGS
Left Defense	Right Defense
Marc Staal	Michal Rozsival
Michael Del Zotto	Dan Girardi
Steve Eminger	Michael Sauer
Goaltenders: Henrik Lundqvist, Martin Biron Starting Lineup: Lundqvist, Del Zotto, Girardi, Frolov, Christensen, Prust.

POWER PLAY UNITS
FORWARD LINES
Left Wing	Center	Right Wing
Brandon Dubinsky	Artem Anisimov	Ryan Callahan
Alex Frolov	Erik Christensen	Ruslan Fedotenko

POINT MEN
Left Point	Right Point
Michal Rozsival	Michael Del Zotto
Marc Staal	Dan Girardi

PENALTY KILLING UNITS
FORWARD UNITS
Forward	Forward
Ryan Callahan	Brandon Dubinsky
Ruslan Fedotenko	Artem Anisimov
Brandon Prust	Boyle/Anisimov

DEFENSE PAIRINGS
Left Defense	Right Defense
Marc Staal	Dan Girardi
Steve Eminger	Michal Rozsival