With the NHL All-Star game set to take place, now makes for a perfect time to analyze a team’s situation, how they got to where they are, and their needs going forward. This is the state of the New York Rangers.
After going on a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2014, the Rangers had to part ways with some of their players. Gone were Brad Richards, Anton Stralman, Brian Boyle, Benoit Pouliot, and Derek Dorsett. In came Dan Boyle, Kevin Hayes, Lee Stempniak, Tanner Glass, and Matt Hunwick. Despite the changes, the defending Eastern Conference Champions entered the season with high expectations.
The Blueshirts went through some injury troubles early on, losing Dan Boyle, Derek Stepan, and Captain Ryan McDonagh each for a significant amount of time. This contributed to a mediocre start that saw them win only 7 of their first 18 games. The team was able to overcome those losses and stay in the playoff race. Now that they have a healthy lineup, head coach Alain Vigneault has the team on a roll. They have won 16 of their last 19 games, climbing up to the 3rd seed in the Metropolitan Division in the process. They now sit with 27 wins and 58 points, while only being 2 points back of the Pittsburgh Penguins for 2nd place in the division.
A number of players on the team are having breakout years. Stepan is scoring at over a point-per-game pace with 32 points in 31 games. Derick Brassard is on pace for 65 points this season, which would shatter his previous career best of 47. Defenceman Kevin Klein has quietly been having a solid campaign, and Rick Nash has been having an outstanding season, but more on him later. Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist may have had a rocky start, but he is back to his old self. Among goalies with at least 20 games played, he is 6th in wins (23) and goals against average (2.25), 7th in save percentage (0.921), and 2nd in shutouts (5).
Both the power play and the penalty kill are not among the top 10 in the league, which might cause some concern. However, their 3.00 goals per game is good for 6th most overall, their goals against per game of 2.32 is good for 3rd and their 5 on 5 goals for/against ratio of 1.30 is the 4th best in the NHL. The Rangers don’t always win the special teams battle, but very few teams are better when it comes to even strength hockey.
BIGGEST SURPRISE
Nash has easily been the biggest surprise story for the team. His 3 goals in 25 playoff games last year had many thinking he wasn’t a good fit in the Big Apple. He has bounced back in a big way this season. Throughout 44 games, he’s tied for the league lead in goals (28), leads his team in points (43), has a plus-minus of (+18), total shots (162), shorthanded goals (3) and game-winning goals (5). This is the Rick Nash the Rangers traded for.
TRADE DEADLINE POSSIBILITIES
New York has a very good lineup as it is, but they might need to make a move or two at the deadline to bolster their lineup for a deep playoff run. The Rangers could benefit from acquiring help for their bottom six forward group. Perhaps a player such as Mike Santorelli from the Toronto Maple Leafs, or Vernon Fiddler from the Dallas Stars could be a good fit. It also wouldn’t be surprising to see the team add additional depth on the blue line.
OUTLOOK FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON
The Rangers will look to continue their dominance throughout the second half of the season. They have been playing brilliant hockey, and show no signs of slowing down. With home ice advantage in the playoffs within their reach, look for them to keep climbing up the standings. They very well could finish as the top team in the Eastern Conference. It isn’t often that a team goes to the Stanley Cup Finals two years in a row, but the New York Rangers have all the tools to make it happen.
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