Rangers 3, Hurricanes 0

Nash’s goal, his second of the season, marked the first time he put a puck into an opposing net.

“Obviously I want to score and I want to help my team win”, said Nash, “but 11-2 means a lot more than if I had 10 goals right now and we were 2-11”.

Nash’s goal was aided by a giveaway, and Cam Ward’s over-aggressiveness.

But Lundqvist said the Rangers were aware they were “lucky” to be up, 2-0, after a first period in which they were out-shot, 8-3.

Lundqvist appeared in his 743rd game as a Rangers goaltender, snapping Richter’s mark of most regular season and playoff games combined. The Rangers improved to 17-1-0 against Carolina since February 22, 2011. A shot by right winger Emerson Etem came to rest in the slot and Fast’s spinning shot beat Ward to the blocker side. He shot from the goal line near the left corner, getting the puck between goaltender Braden Holtby and the left post.

After losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning three times in the first month of the season, the Buffalo Sabres got their revenge Tuesday with a 4-1 road win sparked by rookie center Jack Eichel at Amalie Arena.

“Our record is pretty good”, Vigneault said, “but we still have areas that we’re working on that we need to improve”.

The Rangers had just three shots in the first two periods yet two shots found the back of the net.

“It was finally nice to get one”. So we just try to stay humble here and realize there are a lot of good teams out there …

“To get that opportunity, of course I’m proud to be up there with those guys”, Lundqvist said.

Right wing Mats Zuccarello assisted on Rick Nash’s goal to make it 2-0 at 9:32 of the first period.

But Ryan McDonagh’s point shot 13 seconds into the third sealed the Hurricanes’ ninth loss in 15 games this season.

“Well if it was just the skates I think I wish that I got them a little earlier”, Lundqvist laughed. “But I’m looking at the big picture and I’m trying to see if I can’t come up with a combination”. Rangers D Dylan McIlrath was also a healthy scratch. Still, Peters said Hanifin’s development has “been good”. We were talking about it at the ceremony last night: Three years ago, he’s playing high school hockey, so it’s a big step over a 36 month period.