BOSTON -- The Boston Bruins made the hockey world rub its eyes Saturday afternoon.

When everyone’s vision was clear, the Bruins had beaten the Eastern Conference-leading New York Rangers 4-2 at TD Garden. Playing with their trademark physical and relentless style, Boston dominated for 60 minutes, and as a result many of the Bruins' players had fresh facial cuts after the game.

It’s been awhile since Boston has played this well.

It comes at a crucial time, too, with the Bruins fighting for a playoff spot. This was the type of game that could make or break Boston’s season. Beating the Rangers, especially in the manner they did, should give the Bruins some much-needed confidence with only seven games remaining in the regular season.

“You saw today that when we’re emotionally involved everyone plays a little bit more on the edge. It’s important and today we played a solid 60 minutes and played physical all game and that’s what we want,” said Bruins defenseman Dennis Seidenberg.

The Bruins have enjoyed perennial success when they play this style of game, but the question remains, why haven’t they been able to accomplish this on a consistent basis this season? When asked, even Seidenberg shook his head in disbelief.

“I don’t know,” he said. “We always talk about it, right? But for whatever reason it hasn’t [happened]. We have to hold on to it and keep going from here.”

It also helped the Bruins that Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist returned to action for the first time since Feb. 2 (a span of 25 games).

The Bruins’ Milan Lucic took the first bite, and he went back for seconds.

Lucic scored only 1:41 into the game, when the puck deflected off his skate and past Lundqvist. The play was reviewed, but it was not ruled a distinct kicking motion and the goal was allowed. It was the type of break the Bruins needed, and they capitalized, scoring twice more in the opening frame for a 3-0 first-period lead.

After the game, Lundqvist disagreed with the call on the first goal, and said it gave Boston the early momentum.

“I tried to stop the puck with my foot and didn’t try to kick it. Thankfully the call went our way and right now we’ll take anything we get,” Lucic said.

Unlike many games this season, the Bruins kept pressuring their opponent. Boston executed on its chances. The Bruins gained a 4-0 lead early in the second period on Reilly Smith's goal, and despite a late pushback by the Rangers, Boston finished with the victory.

“Everything kept rolling after we got that break on the first goal,” Lucic said. “It was good to see us step up and play the way that we can play. Right now it’s just continuing to recapture what we had here tonight ... and bring this type of emotion to every game from start to finish.”

There was some concern, however, when starting goaltender Tuukka Rask exited the game only 10 seconds into the second period. But afterward Bruins coach Claude Julien said it was due to dehydration. Backup Niklas Svedberg entered the game, and despite allowing two goals, he finished with 16 saves.

Rask traveled with the team to Carolina and will be ready to play Sunday against the Hurricanes.

“He’s fine,” Julien said.

Watching the Bruins play the way they did against the Rangers makes one wonder why Boston hasn’t played this way for the majority of the season. Sure, there have been injuries to key players, but that should not affect the team’s competitive level.

It’s a good sign for the Bruins that they finally showed some fight, bite and urgency, especially with a postseason berth at stake.

“We were playing with a lot of physicality, a lot of emotion,” said Bruins captain Zdeno Chara. “We didn’t get into taking unnecessary penalties or penalties at the wrong time of the game. We were able to control our emotions and play with a lot of the physical part of our game.”

Too many times this season, however, the Bruins have let an effort like Saturday’s go for naught. Boston remains a dangerous team, and if it can somehow earn a playoff berth, it’s possible the Bruins could face the Rangers in the first round.

So often Julien has said in order for the Bruins to be successful their best players have to be at their best. That was the case Saturday, and it needs to continue for another seven games.

“Everybody needs to respond at this point,” Julien said. “Everybody can bring something to the table.”