Two straight victories doesn’t represent much of a streak, but if the Rangers can win tonight in Buffalo (7:00, MSG), at least one small hurdle will have been cleared.

The Rangers haven’t won consecutive games in nearly a month, a troubling fact for a team with serious playoff aspirations. It’s part of the reason the Blueshirts are fighting to stay afloat in the Eastern Conference, instead of thinking of a high seed.

So how about something as simple as a two-game winning streak for this beleaguered bunch? Get a win against the Sabres at HSBC Arena and consider it one small step back toward respectability.

Because, really, did beating the pathetic Islanders on Wednesday prove anything?

“The guys performed well enough [Wednesday] to build on it, there’s no question about that,” coach Tom Renney said yesterday. “We know we have to continue to improve ourselves and dedicate ourselves to the stretch drive.”

The Rangers’ 3-1 victory over the Islanders was just the second time in 10 games the Blueshirts scored three goals in a game, a stretch that incidentally dates to the last time they won two straight games.

“We have to be a little hungrier getting to the net,” defenseman Wade Redden said.

Or as goalie Henrik Lundqvist advocated, how about building an early lead instead of trying to claw from behind?

“We’re a pretty good team when we have the lead, especially going into the third [period],” Lundqvist said. “When we are scoring we get confidence, and we haven’t been scoring much.

“All of the games are so tight right now, we’re not far away.”

The Rangers got their first full day off since the All-Star break on Thursday and hope the time away charged their batteries.

“It was good to get away from the rink, get your mind off the game a little bit,” winger Ryan Callahan said. “You could see it today in practice. Guys were energized and ready to go.”

mpuma@nypost.com