All season long, the Rangers have left points on the board due to failing to hold leads. Tonight, they paid back the fiesty Penguins by getting a late Jaromir Jagr goal to pull out a much needed 2-1 Garden win.

There was no doubting the circumstances as the Blueshirts entered play clinging onto the final spot by just a point over the idle Islanders, Leafs and Canadiens. They also entered just a point behind seventh Carolina and three fewer than sixth Tampa Bay. That’s how tight this wild and wacky Eastern Conference playoff race has become. On any night, one slip up can be costly. And down the stretch with three weeks left in the regular season, we’re going to find out who has what it takes to make the cut.

Tonight, the Rangers were clearly the better team against what had to be a tired Pens’ team which played the night before, posting a 4-3 shootout win at Mellon Arena over Ottawa. But against a team they had recently blown two-goal leads to in falling via OT and shootout, the Blueshirts had to come away with the vital two points.

Peppering backup goalie Jocelyn Thibault (40 saves), it started to look a lot like Rick DiPietro last month when they fired from every angle forcing the Isles’ netminder to make a franchise record 56 saves before they finally prevailed in a 2-1 shootout in front of a raucous atmosphere. After two periods though, they couldn’t beat Thibault, who was just as razor sharp as he was in blanking the Devils last week. They finally would breakthrough thanks to a faceoff win by Blair Betts. He redirected home a Daniel Girardi point shot for his career best ninth. Last year, the centerman got eight in 66 games in his first full season on Broadway. The scrappy 27 year-old from Alberta would play a pivotal role in the win along with linemates Ryan Hollweg (assist for third point of season on Betts’ tally) and enforcer Colton Orr (8:31, +1 rating). The gritty trio would be matched against the Sidney Crosby line and limit their chances. No small feat there.

In control, the Rangers couldn’t get another one by Thibault to give them some distance. After failing a couple of times on the power play, they would see it get tied when Michel Ouellet beat Thomas Pock to the goalmouth and deflected home Erik Christensen’s centering feed from the left wall. Ouellet’s 16th from Christensen and Evgeni Malkin came with only 5:42 remaining.

The Pens coming back on anyone has been a recurring theme since January when the club has risen in the standings from playoff uncertainty to Atlantic Division challenger, just two points behind New Jersey. They have repeatedly scored late goals before winning games in overtime or a shootout. But the Rangers had other ideas in this one.

When Michael Nylander beat Crosby on a neutral zone draw, it gave the Blueshirts puck possession, allowing Marek Malik to get the puck to Jagr on the right wing. Gaining the zone, No.68 made his usual strong move and then went behind the net. But instead of coming around, this time he centered the puck for Nylander at the goalmouth. But it never reached him, instead taking a lucky bounce off Pittsburgh defenseman Rob Scuderi before just crossing the goal line despite Thibault’s last ditch attempt to sweep it out. A video review confirmed that Jagr had scored his 25th, putting his club ahead with just 33.4 seconds left, energizing the building. It was the 16th straight season Jagr has scored at least 25 goals. His reaction:

“I am not 24 chasing any records anymore,” he explained to the AP after breaking an eight-game goal drought. “My goal is to make the playoffs. Right now it doesn’t matter as long as we win.”

Pretty good stuff there. Nobody would argue. It was just nice to see Jagr catch a break because lately he seems to have developed stone hands syndrome from Brad Isbister. Someone should tell the coach that it’s dangerous to play those two on the same line.

Up one, as they did for most of the night, the Rangers played solid in their end not allowing the Pens to even get a shot on net during a final chaotic sequence. And though Malik went to the box for a dubious holding the stick call (made by the refs or Crosby) which put 2.2 back on the clock, Betts won one final draw to clinch the big victory which gave the Rangers some space. They’re now up to 81 points and in seventh, one behind sixth place Tampa, who hosts the Fishsticks in what amounts to a huge game tonight. Who do you root for here? Is there even a doubt?

The Blueshirts are now a point ahead of the eighth Canes and three up on the Isles, Leafs and Habs. The Leafs will host the Devils in another pivotal game. Be on the look out for payback on Cam Janssen for his late high hit on Tomas Kaberle which produced a concussion leading to a three-game suspension for the Devils fourth liner. But Toronto does need the game. So if it’s close, don’t expect anything to happen from Darcy Tucker, pest Wade Belak and Co. If it’s decided either way, then expect something to develop.

For the Rangers, they next host the improved Flyers Wednesday night before headed to Boston Saturday and then visiting Long Island Sunday. It’s one game at a time. They have to be happy with where they are but at the same time remember that the task is a long way from being over. With two left at the Isles, two against the Habs and one vs the Leafs, those will go a long way to deciding if they qualify for a second consecutive postseason. We’ll see what happens.

For more on the Blueshirts, please don’t hesitate to check out our thoughts on the Battle of NY. It’s a quality site about the three locals featuring myself, Steve Lepore and Rob. Check us out!