As the National Hockey League prepares for the 2015 All Star weekend festivities, the New York Rangers have one player who will represent and participate in the big game in Columbus, Ohio. That player is the former face of the Columbus Blue Jackets franchise and current Ranger Most Valuable Player Rick Nash.
Nash leads the League in goals with an impressive 28 goals and shows zero signs of slowing down. He also leads the Rangers with 43 points and continues to silence the doubters and prove the pundits right with an impressive bounce back year. Nash is on pace for a 40-50 goal season if he can continue to push his level of play. The Ontario native has had two 40 plus goal seasons in 2003-04 and 2008-09 while as a member of the Blue Jackets, where he was drafted in the 2002 season as a first round pick. He was acquired by the Blueshirts on July 23, 2012 in a blockbuster deal that sent forwards Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov and defenseman Tim Erixon to Columbus the summer after the Rangers were two wins away from their first Stanley Cup appearance since 1994. Two years later, the Rangers would come up three wins short of clinching their first championship in 20 years. That taste left them hungry for another shot.
For Nash, he too, is hungry for more.
It’s been an incredible season for the superstar forward so far. Nash had been the Rangers’ best guy on the ice all year and continues to find ways to score goals. Other things to keep notice with Nash is his play both with and away from the puck: Using his body, getting in on the forecheck, blocking shots, making passes, generating quality chances and playing on special teams, where he is dangerous on the penalty kill. He has a plus 18 ice rating, second in the league with 3 shorthanded goals and 5 game winners, and sixth with 157 shots. He’s all over the ice! In fact, his latest outing against the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 18 showed how much of a force Nash is when he’s on his game. He posted two goals which led the Rangers to a 5-2 win against a team that they played well against since last season’s second round playoff comeback. He’s got 3 points in his last five games while averaging 18 minutes a game.
Nash, who is one of the best two way players in the league, came into this season with something to prove. A new mindset but the same goal: another shot at the Cup. So far, it has paid off. He’s in great shape and perhaps even better than last year. His concussion problems, which caused him to miss 17 games last year really affected his game but those ailments are behind him. Overall, his play this season speaks for itself and has earned him his sixth All Star Game appearance. This is his first with the Rangers. Nash will also serve as an alternate captain to team Canada teammate Jonathan Toews.
Rangers Fans’ Opinions on Rick Nash
The fans would agree that Nash has definitely earned a spot in the All Star Game. “It’s nice to see Nash going and representing the Rangers in the All Star Game” said Paul Wilson from Brunswick Township, New Jersey. “He’s earned it!”
Bill Cronin from Dix Hills believe not only the All Star Game is risky and could affect Nash’s game, but he also thinks other players on the Blueshirts deserve to be there too. “It’s nice that players get recognition but I would be fine without providing recognition and doing away with the game because the last thing you want is a player especially one of yours to get hurt over essentially a free for all shootout on the goalies” said Cronin. “As for him being the only representative, it seems to be disgraceful because some of our other players were deserving as well.” This argument could also ring true as there are indeed other Ranger players who have been fun to watch this year too. Kevin Klein has been having a great year and is still the Rangers best defensemen this season. Martin St. Louis and Derick Brassard are the next two best goal scorers behind Nash this year and played well year in and out. Derek Stepan has been the Rangers most consistent forward and has always made an impact when he’s in the lineup. What All Star game would be complete without the great Henrik Lundqvist in net? He posted 22 wins this year and is on pace for yet another 30 win year.
Despite this, the Rangers have been on a roll lately with last night’s win at Madison Square Garden. The latest victory brings the hockey team to 16 wins out of 19 games, dating back to December 8th against the Penguins. This should be the least of their problems as they sit in a tie for third place in the Metropolitan Division with the Washington Capitals at 56 points, two back from the Penguins and five from the New York Islanders.
Frederick Uy from Park Ridge, New Jersey states “What’s the difference between this year and last year? Can he keep up his elite play during the playoffs?” This will not only determine how Nash will fare when it matters, but it will play a role in whether the Rangers can’t or can get back to the top of the hockey world. “As long as he stays healthy, he certainly can keep up this type of play and help the Rangers get back to the Stanley Cup” said Cronin. “It also takes more than one single player to get you there so it is going to take a total team effort in the end!”
So the question remains: Can Rick Nash continue his hot play and help get the Blueshirts back to the Cup? “Yes I do think so because of how close the Rangers came to winning the Cup” said Wilson. “Nash had the Cup within his grasp so I think that has given him that fire in the belly to play harder and with passion to get there again.” “Nash is having an awesome season” said Donna Tubman from Somerset, New Jersey. “ I think he will help us win the Cup!” If they continue to play the way they have been playing for the past month and a half, then Lord Stanley just might make an appearance back to New York once again.
