The Journal News’ Rick Carpiniello offered a great observation on the Rangers Game 4 victory Thursday night: “They had nothing to lose, but they didn’t play with recklessness.” That, more than anything (Yes, even more than the continued stellar play of Jaromir Jagr) is reason for fans to glean some hope in the face of dire straights.

Ya Gotta Believe. Isn’t that what Lester Patrick used to say?

And how about the captain? He sure knows how to shut me up. Then again, isn’t that the maddening nature of Jagr? That lack of day-to-day, shift-to-shift commitment from the superstar? He’d never make it as a baseball player. Or he’d be Dave Kingman.

Kidding aside, it’s quite possible that Jagr has been the best player on the ice in each of these four games. He was absolutely crushed after scoring in the 2nd, but unlike Eric Lindros, he got up again. If you’re a Ranger fan, you had to be fearing a concussion in that spot. That Jags didn’t miss a shift was the highlight of the evening for me.

And I’d be remiss not to mention Chris Drury. This is a guy who couldn’t lift his arm two days earlier, and all he does is go out and go 15-for-24 (62.5%) on draws last night. I struggle to remember the last time Drury lost a critical faceoff. It’s like Craig MacTavish all over again.

Poise was sorely lacking in a Game 1 meltdown that put the Blueshirts in this mess in the first place. Funny how a team can just find something like that.

Of course, I could do without the two egregious breakaways the defense allowed in what seemed like a five-minute span.

A tip of the cap to coach Tom Renney for wising up and utilizing Ryan Hollweg at center while keeping Lauri Korpikoski in the press box. While I’m anxious to get a look at the kid, Korpi would have brought about as much to the table as Nigel Dawes did in his Game Six cameo last season against Buffalo. The fourth line played a whopping 3 minutes and change.

For those of you keeping score, the Rangers are 1-0 in the Post-Sean Avery Era.

Speaking of which, it’s noteworthy that this Rangers team played with exceptional toughness and grit in this game, even with Avery out of the lineup. With free agency looming, it would be nice to think that a little bit of the pain in the ass is rubbing off on these guys.

I make Michael Rozsival the notable exception. Flipping a forward over your goaltender’s neck isn’t the best way to channel that physicality. And can we stop with the tough guy act already? Or do I need to watch a grown man get intimidated by Sergei Gonchar? The hobo beard isn’t helping.

Is it possible that Marc Staal is the team’s only above-mediocre defenseman?

The Penguins showed up last night. They just got beat. Unfortunately, I don’t think their confidence is shaken.

Hank might actually earn that contract if he shuts the door on Sunday. Until then…