With one week of the new NHL season already in the books, the New York Rangers haven’t yet fired on all cylinders. Yet despite loose defensive play to begin the new season (including giving up over 35 shots per game), they’re off to a fast start. Here are a few reasons why the Rangers are perfect one week in.
The King reigns supreme
Mats Zuccarello – file photo by Jack Lima
Starting last season some of the national media speculated that Father Time would begin to catch up with Henrik Lundqvist but it hasn’t happened. Some players are known for their preparation and are able to defy the aging process. Tom Brady, Derek Jeter, even hockey’s ageless wonder Jaromir Jagr. All legends in their own right; famous for their longevity and sustained excellence. Lundqvist is 34 this season but is off to a fast start, looking fresh and ready for another Vezina-esque campaign. Lundqvist is the main reason the Rangers have a 3-0 record as he has looked sharp from the get-go.
Immediate rookie impact
As a unit the Rangers haven’t received much from their presumptive top line of Rick Nash, Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello. Nash is pointless in three while Derick Brassard has just the one goal. Meanwhile the team has benefited from a mini offensive explosion from talented Swedish rookie Oscar Lindberg. Lindberg has tallied four goals already, building off consecutive, productive AHL campaigns.
The Rangers have been patient with Lindberg even though he looked NHL ready last season, at times dominating in the minors including being a point per game player in the AHL playoffs. Initially thought to be more of a defensive center, Lindberg has proven his offensive skill could translate first from the Swedish league to the smaller ice surface of the North American pro game and now to the NHL. Lindberg has given the Rangers enviable depth at center as the team’s third pivot.
Health Issues? What health issues?
The Rangers entered the season with a handful of key players coming off significant injuries from last season. A week in to the new campaign and those injuries don’t seem to be a factor. Zuccarello already has two goals and has been the Rangers best player from their top line even if he too can still be more consistent. Captain Ryan McDonagh has improved with each game and has played with a physicality and aggression not normally associated from the composed two way blueliner. Keith Yandle has been a significant factor offensively while Marc Staal has been a steadying presence.
Only Dan Girardi has offered cause for concern from the group that carried health ‘concerns’ into the new season. With the depth of the Rangers blueline however, the team has been able to accommodate Girardi’s rustiness.
Depth wins hockey games
A week into the new regular season and the Rangers best line has been their third. JT Miller has been outstanding both on the forecheck and with the puck, Lindberg has been a revelation and new signing Viktor Stalberg has looked comfortable on the left, showing an eagerness to play a physical brand of hockey the Rangers don’t have much of when Tanner Glass is in the press box. Stalberg always finishes his checks.
After three games the Rangers have six players averaging a point per game. Nash aside, the Rangers don’t have much ‘marquee’ or ‘brand name’ talent up front, the way Tampa Bay or Pittsburgh do but they are winning games because of superior depth. Not a single Rangers forward is averaging over 16 minutes per game thus far showing that the Rangers don’t lean on any one line the way they used to under John Tortorella’s watch.
The Rangers are off to a fast start despite playing loose defensive hockey while not getting much from Rick Nash or Derick Brassard. With eight of their next ten at the Garden if the Rangers can continue to lean on Lundqvist and get their presumptive go-to guys firing offensively the Rangers could fly through October and steal a march on what promises to be the toughest division in hockey (the Metropolitan).
You must be logged in to post a comment.