NHL Playoffs : Rangers Have Hope and a Victory, 2-0

Goalie John Vanbiesbrouck sees a ray of hope for the New York Rangers.

Vanbiesbrouck was at the top of his game Wednesday night at New York, where the Rangers avoided a four-game sweep with a 2-0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.

The Rangers’ win was their first after three losses in the Wales Conference final series and sent the teams back to Montreal for Game 5 Friday night.

“We still have an uphill battle, but right now we’re on the first level of the pyramid,” Vanbiesbrouck said. “I really felt bad Monday night (when Montreal took a 4-3 overtime victory).

“But things look a little different now, don’t they? I’m not saying it will be easy--but it sure is a good feeling to still be here.”

The Rangers got a short-handed goal from Bob Brooke in the first period and a clinching goal in the third from Tomas Sandstrom.

The way Vanbiesbrouck was playing goal, the Rangers didn’t need any more.

“It was a lot of hard work,” Vanbiesbrouck said. “I felt we played great team defense tonight; we picked up the rebounds, got the puck in their end and were able to capitalize.”