Rangers notebook: New York at the quarter pole

NEW YORK – Now that the Rangers have reached the quarter pole (21 games), here is quick assessment of this team to find out what has been good so far, what has not been so good so far and what the next quarter of the schedule will bring.
 
As of this writing, they have just won three straight games over the Caps, Flyers, and Pens and have looked real good in doing so.   This followed up a 2 game stretch where it seemed that they didn’t show up for the games in lackluster losses to the Habs and Panthers.  
 
All in all, they have won 10 of their last 12 and sit 4^th in the East and have games in hand on everyone around them which is a switch from other years where the shoe was on the other foot.   In addition, they have a 7-1-1 record at home which is a nice change from previous seasons as well as having the least amount of regulation losses in the league.
 
The Good
Let’s start with the goaltending tandem of Biron and Lundqvist who have been spectacular on most nights, allowing the Rangers a chance at winning every time out.   Gaborik has been rejuvenated this year and has 11 goals and 19 total points to lead the team in scoring.   Richards has been a great addition as he has brought an element that they haven’t had in a while and has chipped in with 9 goals and 10 assists.   Callahan has taken on the role of team Captain and has indeed led by example by playing his heart out every game and by scoring 7 goals so far on the season.   
 
Just a quick comment on Avery, who has remarkably been a decent fit andplaying well since his recall to the team which has seen them go on this nice tear. Honorable mentions go out to Prust, Stepan, and Fedotenko who all have played decently so far.   Shifting to the defense corps, the whole bunch of them have played well, but as far as who has played top notch, it has been Girardi who pitches in on the scoreboard with 11 points and constantly sacrifices his body blocking a boatload of shots, showing zero fear while doing it.  
 
Other notable d-men who have played well include McDonagh who is starting to settle in real nice on the back line while leading the team in plus/minus as well as Sauer who has been pretty consistent as well.  
 
Kudos also have to go out to Tortorella, who has really done a great job with this team so far, having them ready to play pretty much every night, making it fun for the fans to watch them again and possibly putting himself in the Jack Adams Trophy conversation.
 
The Not So Good
Let’s start with the biggest disappointment of the team so far and that beyond a shadow of a doubt is Dubinsky, who has only 1 goal in 21 games which is just unacceptable since he received a huge contract over the summer and has not yet met those expectations.  
 
It was finally nice to see Tortorella come to his senses and send Christensen down to Connecticut and now that there have been a couple of call ups (Hagelin, Mitchell), the thought is that he has now seen the last of MSG as a Rangers player.   Wolski hadn’t really done that much but was underachieving while he was in the lineup but ended up on the IR and the common view is that he probably won’t be playing much when he comes back.  
 
The last not so good issue is that their power play is simply too passive at times where they are standing around too much or passing the puck one too many times waiting for the perfect shot which usually never comes.   Instead they should just turn that man advantage into a shooting gallery and you just never know what can sneak into the net when that occurs.
 
What’s Up for the Next Quarter
They are playing as a team and other than some tweaking; this team is looking to be one of the contenders for the top of the conference going forward.  
 
Dubinsky needs to get it going soon or will hear the wrath of the MSG crowd, their power play needs to score on a much more consistent basis with much more player and puck movement in the zone.   During this next 20 game stretch, they have 9 at home and 11 on the road, including the Winter Classic on January 2^nd against Philly.  
 
As always, it will be a challenge for them to remain on this kind of good run, but as long as they stay the course, this has the possibility of being a much better season which will make the fans quite happy.  
 
So let the puck drop on the next quarter and of course, everyday is always a hockey day.
  Contact Howie.Sussman@prohockeynews.com Photographer Lewis.Bleiman@prohockeynews.com