NEWARK, NJ – When the 2011-12 season began, the Rangers were chosen to have far less success than traditional Eastern Conference favorites Washington and Pittsburgh. On any given year, though, New York competes enough to be exciting and in the running for a playoff spot each Spring. Since 2006, they have made the playoffs each season except for 2010. Recent hockey success on Broadway has rarely been better than a few extra games beyond the regular season.
The prominent writers have agreed. In a poll among a staff of twelve USA Today writers, the Blueshirts were chosen by just two to win the Atlantic Division, yet none of them chose them to be the Eastern Conference Finalist. In the Hockey News, the Rangers were chosen to finish seventh in the Conference. To support their prediction, it was written, “The Rangers can’t be worse after improving their greatest need, but also won’t jump too far ahead of where they were a year ago.” My how things can change in seven months.
After a slow regular season start which began in Stockholm with losses to Los Angeles and Anaheim and a season-opening, seven-game road trip, the team steadily improved. By the time Spring arrived, the team was challenging for the President’s Trophy, finishing just short and in third place overall on the last day of the season. Now they are playing their best hockey of the campaign and there are three good reasons for their success on Broadway.
Henrik Lundqvist has never played better in a Rangers uniform. The four-time Vezina trophy nominee has instilled confidence in a team with equally spread talent, but much youth on the roster. The thirty-year old Swedish netminder has registered a playoff-leading three shutouts, two in Round 3 alone. It is the first time any Rangers goaltender has recorded two shutouts in a post-season series since 1997 when Mike Richter did so for a team that reached the Eastern Conference Finals before bowing to the Philadelphia Flyers four games to one.
Lundqvist’s three goals allowed in Game Two, put him tied for series goals against with his Los Angeles counterpart John Quick who is one victory away from punching his ticket to Round four. Lundqvist is now on the biggest stage of his career and shows he belongs in the League’s biggest games. If it weren’t for King Henrik, the Rangers might be using golf clubs instead of composite sticks this week.
The overall team defense has tightened up, too, with Dan Girardi leading the way. In addition to his three game-winning goals in the playoffs including two in this series, the twenty-eight year old New York defenseman leads a team that has registered 61 blocks, more than double the 28 the Devils have mustered. Girardi leads the team in plus/minus with +5, is first in assists with eight and second in points with eleven. His presence makes everyone on the backline better.
With the defense extremely solid, the Rangers have found an unlikely sniper to bring youth and energy to their line-up. Twenty-one year old rookie Chris Kreider leads New York in the series with three goals. The 6’, 200 lb. center from Boxford, MA joined the team after signing a three-year entry-level contract after the post season began. Even with his status as the Rangers first-overall pick and 19th overall, no one could have expected the young, rugged centerman to add so much to the attack.
And then there is New York’s physical play, a major factor in the first three games The Rangers have outhit the Devils in each game with an edge of 98-70. This might also explain their advantage in penalty minutes, 26-20. Add to it a possible suspension for an illegal hit to Brandon Prust in Game Three and the Rangers have established their physical presence. New York has also stifled the Devils power play, allowing just one marker on twelve attempts.
As a key to the team’s dominant effort, the Rangers power play has finally turned the corner. After scoring just four times in twenty-seven attempts during the first two rounds in fourteen playoff games, New York has scored four times on ten opportunities. On a few occasions, it has not been a clever play that needed a goal, but a lucky bounce or deflection that lit the lamp. Hard work around the net has served them well.
Despite the advantages New York has demonstrated, the clubs are evenly matched. That New York has scored six of their eight goals in the third period demonstrates New Jersey can skate with the Rangers most of the game. The Devils have outshot the Rangers in two of the three games and lead overall 84-75. The challenge for New Jersey is taking the play to a different level by getting the early edge and continuing the relentless pounding of the New York defense and access to the very few openings Lundqvist reveals.
Game Four, the most pivotal of a series, is set for Monday night at the Prudential Center. The Rangers have the momentum, but the Devils are not too far from interrupting it.
Contact: dennis.morrell@prohockeynews.com Follow me on Twitter at DMMORRELL
