David Quinn said the points were important, no matter who the opponent was.
Well, the Rangers coach got his team to focus against the worst team in the league, beating the Red Wings, 4-2, on Friday night at the Garden. Both teams were playing their first games back from the break that encompassed All-Star weekend and the bye week, and the rust showed.
The Rangers (24-21-4) were still holding on to the idea of making a push for the playoffs, even with the Feb. 24 trade deadline looming over everything.