Monzo Minor: Rangers On A Roll
By Brian Monzo
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As usual, the NHL has provided surprise teams like the Thrashers and Blue Jackets and major disappointments like the Devils and Islanders. For the New York Rangers one thing is certain, and that is they seem to have finally found some consistency in their play. It wasn't there last season after a hot start, brutal mid-season and a hot finish, which still could not land them a playoff spot.
Don't look now, but just based on points, the Rangers are the 4th best team in the NHL. Ironically enough, because of division leaders and such, they are ranked fifth in the Eastern Conference.
I am not here to tell you "I told you so," or "they are going all the way," but I would just like to point out five things we are seeing this season, that we haven't seen in years past:
1. They are not a one man team with scoring and have the ability to play with injuries. Marian Gaborik went down the second game of the season and missed 12 games, but everyone stepped up and kept this team afloat. Brandon Dubinsky has 14 goals, Brian Boyle has 12 goals and Derek Stepan has 8 goals. The scoring is spread out, something good teams do. Chris Drury just returned from a broken finger but the team didn't suffer. Vinny Prospal has been out all year, and was one of the their top scorers last season. Alternate captain Ryan Callahan will miss 6-8 weeks with a broken hand, but they won the first game he missed. The team is stepping up and not folding like a cheap suitcase, despite some turmoil. That is a sign of a winning team.
2. How about going 9-0-0 in the second game of back-to-back games? This speaks not only to their mental toughness, but their conditioning and physical abilty to play just as hard two nights in a row.
3. If you look up which team has the most shorthanded goals this season, it is the New York Rangers, with 8. Better still, Brandon Prust (the guy 'thrown in' in the Olli Jokinen debacle last season) is leading the league with 3. I can remember a time not that long ago when 3 shorties for the entire season for the Rangers was a lot.
4. They finally have quality back-up goaltending. Henrik Lundqvist struggled the early portion of the season, and has since rebounded and currently is tied for the league lead with 5 shutouts. But if not for the early play of veteran goalie Martin Biron, the Rangers could have been in trouble. Biron is 6-2-0 with a goals against average under 2.50 and the team, and the fans and coaches can be just as comfortable with him in nets, as they can be with the King.
5. Not playing at MSG? Not a problem. The Rangers are 12-5-0 playing on the road this season, leading the NHL in road wins. In fact, one issue with the team right now is their play at MSG, currently 5-7-2 at this point in the season. As the season moves forward, one hopes that will change.
I don't want fans to get ahead of themselves. It is still a very long season, and a long way to go. But what we have seen so far, indicates there is a plan in place. The team is buying into the coach's system.
In the last week, they have beaten two of the NHL's best in the Penguins and the Capitals, games that past teams would not have done. Whether it be the Rangers or the Knicks, the Garden looks poised to have action in May.
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