Regarding the Rangers, who have one more game to go on Wednesday at the Garden against the Flyers, before going on their third — count ’em — third winter vacation of the season. What is this, school?
1. There was a notable physical edge to the Blueshirts in Monday’s 3-2 victory over the Kings, continuing an encouraging trend that has been developing over the last week to 10 days.
For when Kevin Klein stepped in and dropped the gloves in support of Mats Zuccarello after the Norwegian had been properly accosted by Los Angeles defenseman Brayden McNabb for his extra dig or two for the puck under goaltender Jeff Zatkoff’s glove at 17:18 of the first period, it marked the third time in four games a Ranger had responded to a teammate’s distress.