RANGERS 101

The New York Rangers currently sit atop the Eastern Conference standings, sharing the lead with the Boston Bruins as the NHL closes in on it's annual All Star break. They own a 30-12-4 record, and have been equally impressive at home or on the road. Certainly many reasons for fans of the Broadway Blueshirts to be excited, and as optimistic as they have been in probably fifteen or so years. Yet, there is one particular thing about this team that stands out above all else, and separates this year from any in recent years.

This team rises to the occasion, at least so far.

When this team has hit rough sledding, they have responded each and every time. They have stopped mini-skids before they have turned into season wrecking losing streaks. They have battled through trap games, beaten the top teams in the league, and played their best when the lights were brightest. When was the last time you could say that about a Ranger squad, 6/14/94?

SEASON SAVING TRIP

For starters, think back to October. The season began with two tough, extra session losses in Stockholm. The Rangers returned to the States and turned in a lackluster effort in a 4-2 Nassau Coliseum loss to the Islanders. Now, 0-1-2 out of the gate may not be cause to hit the panic button, but you could bet there were many in Ranger Land who were getting ready to break the glass and pull the lever, especially with a four game Western Canada trip looking them square in the face. On October 18th in Vancouver, New York responded with a 4-0 win over the defending Western Conference Champion Canucks, spearheading a 3-1 trip that eased tensions in Glen Sather's suite.

STOPPING SLIDES

The Rangers dropped their first two home games at Madison Square Garden, losing to Toronto and then Ottawa in a shootout. Same old Rangers, unable to win on Garden ice, right? On Halloween night, they rose up and defeated the San Jose Sharks for the first of four straight home ice wins. That keyed an overall seven game win streak that ended with a thud in Montreal (where else?). Four nights later, a 2-1 loss in Florida threatened to undo all the good karma the Rangers had built. Yet, instead of going into a tailspin, they bounced back with five straight victories, highlighted by consecutive wins over Washington, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY

It had been quite awhile since the Rangers were the center of attention in the hockey world. In fact, you'd have to go back to the Messier, Leetch and Gretzky days. HBO and it's cameras changed all that, as the '24/7' documentary featuring New York and their rivals from Philly amped up the anticipation for the Winter Classic and put the Rangers under the bright lights once again. Lesser Ranger squads would have wilted under the scrutiny and attention, and all but surrendered to the Flyers and their fans on January 2nd inside Citizens Bank Park. This team, however, rallied from a 2-0 deficit and survived some late game referee, NHL, and NBC shenanigans to register a 3-2 win, their third in as many games over the Flyers this season.

This past Saturday afternoon, a highly anticipated meeting with the defending Stanley Cup Champions, Bruins, in Boston was being hyped as a possible Eastern Conference Final preview. The Rangers battled the Bruins to a 60 minute standoff, before Andrew Ference drove Ryan McDonagh into the boards from behind in overtime on a play that was every bit as dangerous as it looked. Marian Gaborik scored on the ensuing power play with 3.6 seconds left, and the Rangers had another signature victory with the eyes of the league upon them.

LOOKING AHEAD

Can the Rangers keep up the pace and contend for the top spot in the East, or at least home ice in the first round? Absolutely. Will they? We'll see. This is not a perfect team. The power play must find it's way, because right now they seem lost, Gaborik's game winner in Beantown aside. The blue line has been wracked by injuries to Michael Sauer and Steve Eminger, and depth will have to be added before the trade deadline. Brad Richards certainly needs to pick up his production, and stabilize the power play.

That being said, Henrik Lundqvist is having a Hart Trophy caliber season, and gives the Rangers an advantage in goal against just about every opponent they face. This team is tough, physically and mentally, and John Tortorella has the team he wants playing the style he wants. How far can they go? There's a lot of season left, but this team has showed a resiliency and a flair for the dramatic not seen at the Garden since……that wonderful June night.

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