It is a new team and fresh start for the New York Rangers. After the Rangers finished the 2013-14 season by placing second in the Metropolitan Division and three wins away from their first Stanley Cup in 20 years, it is time to move forward with New York Ranger Hockey.
/>Last season, The Rangers have gone through playing in so much grueling hockey and endured a tough schedule throughout the year. They team started off the year 3-6 on a rough nine game road trip away from Madison Square Garden due to renovations at the arena. They had to deal with superstar goaltender Henrik Lundvist’s contract which has been the talk in the first few months of the year before General Manager Glen Sather was able to sit down with Lundqvist and get the deal done to stay in New York. Seven players participated in the Sochi Olympics while the National Hockey League was on hiatus. The Rangers also had the experience of playing and beating their two rivals, the New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils in two outdoor Stadium Series games at Yankee Stadium. After that, the rest is history. They qualified for the playoffs once again by the years end. The Blueshirt’s Cup run started off by edging out the Philadelphia Flyers in an exciting first round matchup. Then they had to overcome a 3-1 second round deficit against the Pittsburgh Penguins, and finally, they defeated the Montreal Canadiens in a pulse pounding Conference Finals matchup before falling to the Los Angeles Kings in a disappointing yet back and forth Stanley Cup Final. Despite not hoisting Lord Stanley, last season is a season to be proud of for Rangers fans everywhere as they reached the Eastern Conference Finals for two of the last three seasons.
This year, the Blueshirts look a lot different from the Eastern Conference Champions from last season.
Out are: Brad Richards, Anton Stralman, Brian Boyle, Dan Carcillo, Derek Dorsett, and Benoit Pouliot and in are Dan Boyle, Anthony Duclair, Kevin Hayes, Tanner Glass, Lee Stempniak, and Chris Mueller. However, Lundqvist, who’s carried the team since he took over the no. 1 job in the net, still reigns as “The King”, with Cam Talbot, who is dubbed “The Prince”, is back as a solid no. 2 backup. Not much changed on the defensive corps, which is still one of, if not the best in the National Hockey League. Up front, the Rangers still have some familiar faces who are back such as Derek Stepan, Rick Nash, Chris Kreider, Carl Hagelin, Dominic Moore, Derrick Brassard, Mats Zuccarello, and playoff hero and midseason acquisition Martin St. Louis, whom was brought to the Rangers in a deal for former captain Ryan Callahan from the Tampa Bay Lighting. Ryan McDonagh is now officially the next captain in franchise history with blueliners Dan Giradi, Marc Staal, and forwards Stepan and St. Louis serving as team alternates. Also, Rangers Head Coach Alain Vigneault is back behind the bench with his staff mostly intact.
With the first ten games played, the Rangers are currently 5-4-1 with 11 points, which is good for fourth in the Metropolitan Division. They sit one point back of third behind the Islanders. They also are two points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs for the final wild card spot. Although it’s early in the season, the Rangers are right in the mix of a very wide open Eastern Conference.
Fans React to the NY Rangers
Rangers fans have been vocal about what they have seen so far this season. “It’s too soon to tell” said Wendy Sclafani from Commack. “Not awesome but definitely good so far” said Thomas King. “Injuries have hindered us so far.” With Boyle, McDonagh, and Kevin Klein out of the lineup, these injuries have left the Rangers shorthanded and have forced Vigneault to make some tough decisions with the lineup. “I’m looking forward to seeing our team healthy and all on the ice.” said Artie Sintef. “It’s hard to judge with the injuries we have.” These recent injuries have tainted the team chemistry. The team is looking for a way to respond and work around those injuries before the lineup is fully intact.
The strength of the team so far this season has come from the penalty kill, which has been excellent this year and has been a successful trend in the past several years for the Blueshirts. One player who’s been on a tear at this point is Rick Nash. Nash is currently second in the League in goals and leads the team with nine in the first ten games. “I really don’t feel as if anyone has been playing at his level” said Jeff Epstein from Islip. It’s been an impressive turnaround for the superstar forward who has struggled to get going since last year’s postseason run. He came into training camp looking to get in shape and get off to a good start and so far, he’s been the Rangers best player on the ice. “If it weren’t for the early hot play of Nash, the team would be in a terrible points position” said Doug Vincent. “Nearly everyone else has been playing below their level.”
If there is one area that the team has to improve on, it’s the power play. This has been a glaring weakness that has plagued the Rangers for years. The signing of Dan Boyle from the San Jose Sharks could be the first stepping stone to fixing their struggles with the man advantage. Boyle has been successful as the Sharks’ quarterback on the power play. “The power play has been abysmal but I hope Dan Boyle can change that somewhat” said Vincent. “The guys are never in shooting position for one timers. So much of the power play is quick release after accepting the pass. I haven’t seen it in years on the Rangers.”
Another area that the fans feel needs to be addressed is who the number one center is. Derek Stepan has had this role for two seasons now and some believe he is really a number two guy masquerading as a number one guy. “As much as I like Stepan, he might have to be trade bait” said Sintef. “Stepan is more of a second line center” said Vincent. “We need a big strong playmaking center.” This year may be the year Stepan is going to have to embrace that role as Brassard did last year. Dominic Moore, who was a part of last year’s pesky fourth line, may have to slide in the number three slot at center.
When it came down to how the team fared in the offseason Trade Deadline, the fans were disappointed in seeing several players depart for free agency notably Stralman, Staal’s defensive partner and Brian Boyle, who was great on the faceoffs and one of the Ranger’s best penalty killers. “I’m not too happy about losing Stralman” said Sclafani. “But Dan Boyle should be a good pickup.”
“I miss Brian Boyle!” said King. “He was an awesome penalty killer and great at playing defense”. However, some of the new faces on the roster have stepped up and are still looking to make an impact as the season progresses. “I like Stempniak, Glass, and Ryan Malone when he plays” said King. “Mueller is decent but I like Duclair more. I haven’t seen enough of Boyle since he’s injured.”
For the Rangers to get back to the Cup, they need to rekindle the depth and chemistry they established last year early on, improve on the extra man advantage, stay healthy and hope those coming back are ready to contribute. Once again, it’s going to take all hands on deck as Vigneault is going to need all four offensive lines and three defensive pairs rolling for the rest of the season. The Rangers Faithful are confident that the team can get back to the Cup. The Rangers have lost a lot of key players due to injuries and free agency. With many new faces getting plugged in the lineup, it may take time to build up the team chemistry like last year.
“Losing Stralman hurts our depth on defense” said Epstein. “But when you have Henrik as your goalie, you always have a chance to get back to the Cup.” “Right now, I don’t think they are Cup contenders” said Sintef. “Maybe once they are healthy and start building chemistry by adding a piece or two at the deadline, it could put them in contention.”
“I truly believe we do have a chance” said King. “I always say ‘Why not us?'”
