The Rangers asserted themselves in Washington Sunday afternoon, taking a 4-1 win against the Capitals and winning their third game of four played in the week. The Rangers’ victory also gives them their fifth out of the last six played.

A comprehensive win in Washington swung in the Rangers’ direction halfway through the second period when Brian Boyle and Rick Nash scored in quick succession. Nash’s goal came on the power play, signaling a revitalized power play that has spent much of the season dwelling in the basement of the league. The Rangers were last in the league with an extra man just over a week ago. As of Sunday, they have jumped up to 24^th, having scored power play goals in five of the last six games.

Back-up goaltender Martin Biron was beaten early in the first period by rookie Steven Oleksy, but stood tall for the next fifty eight minutes, setting the stage for the Rangers to reverse their flat start. Center Derek Stepan equalized for the Rangers with a bank shot from behind the net off Washington net minder Braden Holtby ten minutes later.

The goal, combined with Biron’s stellar goaltending, served to flatten the Capitals and galvanize the Rangers. The quick double –tally in the second further deflate Washington and the Verizon Center. Boyle celebrated his goal with particular enthusiasm – it was the first of his much-maligned campaign.

Brad Richards compounded the Capitals’ misery with a late goal. It was his second in as many games. If Boyle has been a target of criticism this year, Richards has been a whipping post. A reemergence on the horizon would go a long way to easing calls from frustrated fans for the club to buy him out.

Ryan Callahan had a crucial sliding block to maintain the Rangers’ two-goal advantage on a goalmouth scramble late in the second. Dan Girardi had several brave blocks as well, as the Rangers appear to be rediscovering their shot-blocking mentality.

Thursday night, the Rangers again battled back after giving up an early goal to overtake the New York Islanders. Rick Nash scored with five minutes to play, prompting a cathartic celebration for the Rangers, who had finally squeezed out a goal after turning the vice throughout the game. Marian Gaborik scored his eighth goal of the season in overtime to win the game.

A loss to the Ottawa Senators Friday night was sandwiched between the wins. The Senators scored two early goals, but Rick Nash and Richards responded quickly to tie up the game in the first period. A late Jakub Silfverberg goal handed Ottawa a deserved win, with the Rangers playing a tired and disorganized brand of defense. It was the Rangers’ first set of back-to-back games since January 23rd and 24th.

Richards’ mini-revival and the advent of an actual power play threat continue to raise the tampered hopes of a fan base that considered their team a Stanley Cup contender at the season’s start. Players like Gaborik, Boyle, and Richards – those who have borne the brunt of criticism – have chipped in with big goals. Most signs point to a powerful team rounding into form. Of course, as Ranger Nation knows, it can never quite be that simple.