Derek Stepan registered his third goal of the playoffs in Thursday's 3-2 overtime loss to Boston. He didn't record a point in Games 5, 6 and 7 against Washington in the first round. Stepan's marker ended that cold streak and it gave the Rangers a 2-1 lead early in the third.

Derek Stepan got the game-winning goal for the Rangers on Monday night. Stepan led the Rangers in points this season, but his playoff struggles have continued this year -- he had just one goal and nine points in 27 games entering this one. Though he wasn't on his game early on, he came up big to deflect in Rick Nash's pass. "I think maybe early on tonight I had a little struggle the first two periods," Stepan said. "I just seemed to be maybe a step behind or something, so it was a good goal for me and it definitely helped."

Derek Stepan is saying the right things despite being praised for his work this season by coach John Tortorella. Tortorella has called him the team's most consistent skater and top center, while using him in all situations. However, he isn't letting it get to his head. "I'm very honored to hear stuff like that," Stepan said Tuesday following practice. "At the same time, it doesn't mean anything right now. We have a fresh start here and, as a team, we've got to continue to win hockey games." He was a key player for the Rangers in the regular, while leading the team in scoring, and he'll need to continue that hot play if New York wants to advance far in the playoffs. Stepan will be a restricted free agent this summer, so a strong performance in the postseason could also increase his contract demands.

Derek Stepan earned the third star of the month for April. He finished second among skaters with 19 points (eight goals, 11 assists) and posted a plus-14 rating in 14 games. Stepan ended up leading the Rangers in points this season with 44 and his efforts helped get the Rangers into the playoffs.

Derek Stepan had a goal and an assist in the Rangers' season finale. Stepan got off to a slow start this season, but he started to heat up in mid-February and never looked back. He ended up with 18 goals and a team-leading 44 points in 48 games. From a points-per-game perspective, he might take a bit of a step back next season, but it shouldn't be a severe one.

Derek Stepan had a goal and an assist on Sunday. Stepan was solid in his first two seasons, but he's broken out in a big way with 40 points in 45 games this season. He's played alongside Rick Nash at times this season, which has helped, but Stepan's success hasn't been dependent on any one player. He'll have to prove his breakout wasn't a fluke next season, but we think at the least his recent hot streak will carry into the playoffs if New York makes it that far.

Derek Stepan admitted that he felt "a little confused" after receiving a third-period hit from Philadelphia's Claude Giroux Tuesday night. However, he stayed in the game and scored his 15th goal of the year. Stepan said it wasn't anything to worry about though and nothing has lingered since the hit. He has notched five goals and five assists in eight games during the month of April entering Thursday's contest against Florida.

Derek Stepan had an assist in Wednesday's shootout win over Toronto to extend his point streak to six games. His recent scoring spree in the longest he's had this season. Stepan has 34 points in 40 games this year and he's done a great job as the team's top center.

Derek Stepan produced a goal and an assist in New York's 4-3 loss to Toronto Monday night. The two-point effort extend his present scoring streak to five games. Over that span, Stepan has generated four goals and four assists. Stepan probably would've set a new career high in points this season if it wasn't a shortened 48-game schedule. He has 14 goals and 33 points in 39 games.

Derek Stepan potted a goal and recorded an assist in the Rangers' 4-1 victory over the Hurricanes on Saturday night. Stepan has emerged as the team's number-one center, with 13 goals and 31 points on the season. The 22-year-old has points in four straight games, with six over that span, and he seems to mesh with anyone who plays on his line. Rick Nash also had a goal and an assist, while Ryan Callahan and Brian Boyle (empty-netter, plus four penalty minutes) potted the other markers.