Way to make an impression in a new city! Last night in Utah, the Rangers pulled off their first third period comeback of the season, beating the Utah Hockey Club 5-3. The Rangers extended their point streak to six games (4-0-2), and they are back above .500 and highly involved in the playoff race.

“Especially in the third period, just going out there and fighting for a win. It showed a lot of character and a lot of heart by the guys,” said Peter Laviolette of last night’s win. Heart and character were missing for a lot of this season, but to see them both back shines a new, but familiar light on the Rangers.

Overtime? No problem. Although the Knicks – minus Karl-Anthony Towns – had a difficult second half in Philadelphia, they outscored the 76ers 16-10 in overtime to win 125-119. The Wells Fargo Center is MSG South!

Is it fair to say the Knicks officially own their rivals? I don’t think Jalen Brunson showed them much brotherly love. He scored 38 points in this game, including 16 between the fourth quarter and the overtime period. Neither did Josh Hart, who recorded his 11th career triple double. This game was tied five times, but Philly never led.

It was Artturi Lehkonen’s goal with Mackenzie Blackwood on the bench that changed the momentum of this game. The Rangers gave up a goal in the first period before pulling off some outstanding penalty kills, including one where Sam Carrick robbed Cale Makar and maneuvered the puck past Blackwood’s blocker and into the net. Once again, Carrick defended and then scored against one of the NHL’s best offensive players.

Defensive struggles continue to haunt the Knicks. Last night at the Garden, the Knicks fell to the Detroit Pistons 124-119. It came down to a matter which team’s offense would prevail.

For Detroit, Cade Cunningham scored 36 points over Jalen Brunson’s 31. Once again, the Knicks allowed an opposing point guard to play superstar in their building. Not too long ago, the Knicks held a dominant home win streak over Detroit, but now, although the Knicks are better than they were a year ago, Detroit has already managed to leapfrog them at the Garden twice this season.

On Saturday night in Las Vegas, the Rangers defeated the top-ranked Golden Knights 2-1.

I never thought I’d ever describe the New York Rangers as vicious. Even last season when they won the President’s Trophy, the adjective vicious never crossed my mind. I have described the Florida Panthers as vicious. I have even described the Vegas Golden Knights as vicious. But the Rangers?

I first saw it in Florida on December 30. Life. When the Rangers celebrated overcoming a two-score deficit and then a one-score deficit before losing to the Panthers on an empty-net goal. I saw it a few days later at home against Boston. I saw it again in a high-scoring game in Washington, and then it came to fruition on Sunday in Chicago. Defensive miscues plagued the Rangers on Tuesday as they blew a three-goal lead, but last night at the Garden, against their rivals from across the river, life came back.

What is this “life” I am referencing? It’s that confidence in a team’s game that sets no win too far. It’s the ability to come back from large deficits. It’s the ability to beat statistically better teams and break unbreakable goalies. Last season, for the Rangers, it was the ability to win the President’s Trophy. Last night for the Rangers, it was Sam Carrick.

Karl-Anthony Towns’ impact on this Knicks team is unmatched, and it makes the rest of the team better.

Last night, the Knicks beat Toronto 98-112 to snap a three-game losing streak. Even on one knee, Towns pushed his team to a victory.

In this NBA, the big man is a crucial component of a successful team. Although the Knicks do not currently hold the depth they anticipated at center, Towns has been better than advertised. In addition to his prolific three-point shooting, he can pick and roll beautifully and draw many defensive fouls. His only weakness is that because of his size, he gets into foul trouble.

I want to send my best wishes to John Giannone, who revealed on MSG Networks in Hockey Fights Cancer Night that he has been battling prostate cancer. I am rooting for him. Thankfully, his prognosis is good, and they caught the cancer early. Giannone encourages others to get tested for cancer early.

When Artemi Panarin took a hooking penalty just 25 seconds into overtime, the look of exasperation on his face as he skated to the penalty box was palpable. It was an expression of more than just that penalty, though. The Rangers fell to the Dallas Stars at the Garden last night 5-4 in overtime.

Team USA won gold in World Juniors this week, and Rangers prospects Gabe Perreault and Drew Fortescue were part of the effort. Perreault recorded 10 points (3 G, 7 A) in seven games, and Drew Fortescue registered four points (1 G, 3 A) in seven games.

There have been some injury updates on the Rangers that have resulted in a waiver wire acquisition. Chris Kreider has been placed on injured reserve retroactive to Sunday with an upper-body injury (back spasms). He has been fighting back spasms all season, which has contributed to his bad play. The Rangers were able to make a solid claim off the waiver wire yesterday, claiming Arthur Kaliyev from the Los Angeles Kings. The Rangers will play Kaliyev as soon as Thursday night, along with Matt Rempe (who will return from suspension), so Jonny Brodzinski will play tonight. Also, Igor Shesterkin participated in today’s practice.

Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll will get to keep their jobs. John Mara and Steve Tisch both feel that stability is best for this organization, and the players seem to agree.

Mara was asked why the team didn’t tank against Indianapolis last week, and he replied, “[Tanking] won’t happen while I’m on this side of the grass. I’d fire everyone in the organization.” He hopes that in terms of how long it will take the team to become productive, “it better not take too long. I’m just about running out of patience.” Mara also said that finding a franchise quarterback of the future is the “number one issue” this offseason, whether that quarterback is acquired via draft or trade.

Captain Quick?

With Igor Shesterkin injured, Jonathan Quick has stepped in as the Rangers primary netminder. When Shesterkin got hurt last season after a mediocre first half, Quick stepped in and stole the show, helping the Rangers through a .500 stretch to stay afloat in the President’s Trophy race. I always said that Quick was the difference maker that helped the Rangers establish the best record in hockey and one of their best records ever, and the 38-year-old earned a contract extension as a result. Perhaps a turnaround is coming for the 2024-25 Rangers, who are now undefeated in the year 2025.