The schedule trend the Rangers keep taking advantage of

Each team in the NHL faces the condensed schedule this season, due to the delayed start due to the World Cup and five days "bye week" newly appointed for each team.

At least at first sight, suitable for the Rangers.

The numbers are clear. 3-2 victory Sunday night over the Coyotes at the Garden following an emotional 4-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Saturday. Now, in the 83 previous games back-to-back, which dates back to the beginning of 2010-11, the Rangers hold an incredible record of 54-23-6 in the second inning. Franchise bedrock Henrik Lundiqvst started both games in net this weekend, and is now 47-21-7 in the second back-to-back game.

"It is sometimes difficult with early recovery," said Lundqvist after the game, his team Monday before returning to practice Tuesday in preparation for the game in prime time Wednesday night against the Bruins at the Garden.

"It was not our best game," said Lundqvist, "but we had times when we played very well and had a really strong third period that won us the game."

Perhaps the biggest point that despite some much needed youth in their lineup, the Rangers first places - at 4-2-0, is it too early qualifier? - Are built around a core of former combatants. It starts with Lundqvist, who had a talent for raising his game in the biggest moments, and started this unpredictable season in a stellar fashion.

No need to look beyond the verification of the quality of the first part of the schedule, the game against old foe Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals in which Lundqvist had 26 saves and allowed his team back from a deficit 2-0.

"The way we played [against the Capitals], it was a good game for everyone," said Lundqvist Sunday night after his team had backed up with a win over the Coyotes rested. "We wanted to come back here and get the two points."

And that's what they did - again.

With Lundqvist, the team is still dependent on a defense corps led by veterans, including Dan Girardi. The alternate captain had missed the previous three games with a groin injury, but he returned to show his signature balance after being a backbone of the team, as he played 110 playoff games since joined the team full-time in the middle of the 2006- 07 season.

Girardi also happened to score the winning goal early in the third period against the Coyotes, which is not his forte, but was a good way for him to cap his return to programming.

"I'm so happy for him," said Lundqvist Girardi as the two were teammates for their entire career in the NHL. "He worked very hard to prepare for the camp to prepare for the season. Then immediately, he must remain for a few games, it's never easy, but I like it just the way it competes there. When he gets the winning goal like that, it's all smiles here. "

The Blueshirts are planned for 16 sets of games back-to-back this season, which is roughly the average of the league. (In a way, they had 17 last season). But with the amount of condensed time, coach Alain Vigneault said he hopes to play Lundqvist less than 60 games, which would be a career low for a season that does not include a serious injury.

Backup Antti Raanta never played more than 24 games that he got last season, but was solid in compiling a 11-6-2 record with a 2.24 goals average and a .919 save percentage. Vigneault hopes he can repeat these figures if he gets a larger workload this season. He also hopes when he needs Lundqvist for a back-to-back, his big-time starter can come through - as it has in the past, and just as he did to start this season.

"We must find ways in this league," said Vigneault. "In a 82-game schedule. It will not be pretty every night, but we must find ways to win."

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