After a night like this and after two games in four days like this on the rink at Yankee Stadium the Rangers made into their very own outdoor playground, you’re tempted to suggest Glen Sather leave well enough alone; that the general manager should allow this group of Blueshirts to remain intact and reach for the sky, future ramifications be damned.

But seductive as that option might be in the wake of the Blueshirts’ stirring 2-1 victory over the Islanders Wednesday that followed Sunday’s 7-3 rout of the Devils, doing so would be a dereliction of duty. Sather’s charge is not to be short-sighted, but rather to act as a caretaker for the foreseeable future as well as the present.

Which is why the general manager has begun to conduct his due diligence on what captain and pending unrestricted free agent Ryan Callahan would yield on the rental market as the March 5 trade deadline approaches and negotiations on a new contract appear at a standstill, if not an impasse.

Callahan has made it clear all along his first choice would be to remain in the uniform he has worn for his entire NHL career that commenced in 2006-07. He said so again following Wednesday’s morning skate.

“My objective is the same as it’s always been, and that’s to stay here,” said Callahan, who was resolute in 17:04 on this winter night, including the final 1:34 and 2:22 of the final 2:46 as the

Blueshirts protected their one-goal lead. “I never once looked at this as wanting to get to free agency and I still don’t look at it that way.”

But even as Callahan no doubt speaks with sincerity, he is also believed seeking a seven-year, $42 million deal from the Rangers that Sather believes is far too expensive for his taste, but that the winger all but certainly will be able to command on the open market.

In other words, there has been no indication Callahan is willing to take a hometown discount. Nor should he be expected to do that. Owners who collectively lock out and cap players should not expect the athletes to engage in voluntary cost control. That isn’t labor’s responsibility, but rather management’s.

For the Rangers, that responsibility to construct a team with staying power ultimately falls upon Sather, who hasn’t made any headway at all with Callahan but who, The Post has learned, has made progress over the last week toward signing Dan Girardi, the first-pair right defenseman who also is eligible to hit the open market on July 1.

Sources have told The Post that though Girardi is seeking a six-year deal in the neighborhood of $5.5 million per season, the Blueshirts have countered with a six-year deal in the neighborhood of $5.2 million per season or a five-year contract worth approximately $5.7 million per season. In this case, it seems as if there is a deal to be made.

No one who cares about the Rangers wants to see Callahan dealt. It would be jarring, no doubt. But if it is clear there is no contractual agreement to be reached, the general manager has the responsibility of moving the captain for the best available package; one that should include at least a player who could step in immediately plus a legitimate prospect.

Sources have told The Post the Rangers have interest in Colorado’s 25-year-old left wing Jamie McGinn, though it is unclear whether this would be connected to a potential Callahan deal or whether it is independent of such.

The rental market is likely to feature Thomas Vanek, Matt Moulson, Mike Cammalleri and Marian Gaborik. Callahan should be as attractive as any — and perhaps more so — to legitimate Cup contenders. What would Los Angeles be willing to give; what about Pittsburgh or Boston?

Callahan has been an ultimate Ranger, even now as his role has been reduced. No one is more diligent or goes about his business more professionally. But this is about business. As Callahan is looking after his own, it is Sather’s responsibility to take care of the Rangers’ business.

These two games at the Stadium attracted a combined attendance of just over 100,000 who provided a resounding peoples’ choice on the wisdom of going outdoors twice in four days at the same venue. There was romance in the air in The Bronx.

But this cannot be an ultimate referendum on the Rangers. There is work to be done. For Sather, it very likely will include trading Callahan.