Rangers Rookies Critical To Present Success, Gaining Invaluable Experience For Future

The New York Rangers have been relying on rookie NHL players all season long in different roles and Derek Stepan, Michael Sauer, and Ryan McDonagh have answered the call at each turn.  The trio has acquitted themselves so well that they have been continually given increasingly important roles within the team.  At no time this season have any of the three seemed to have the moment be bigger than them and that bodes very well for them in this transition from playing in the intensity of the stretch drive versus the reality of playoff hockey.  Tonight begins that test of their current level of readiness, and the Rangers will need all three to maintain their high level of the regular season if they have hope of winning this series.

Derek Stepan started the season as the most heralded of these three rookies and he did not disappoint turning in a rookie campaign of 21-24 which had him tied for fourth on the team in goals and fourth alone in points.  With that kind of standing in the main offensive categories and without Ryan Callahan there will be a considerable burden on Stepan to continue to provide offense for the club during the series.

As big as the burden will be on Stepan, Sauer and McDonagh are the ones who will likely have more to say about the overall outcome of the proceedings.  Sauer had a tremendous overall rookie campaign in which he played his solid defensive style while adding some physicality and snarl to the tune of a plus 20 rating for the year.  McDonagh did not get the call until midseason but other than a few hiccup games he played tremendously well since his debut chipping in one goal, eight assists and playing plus 16 hockey in his 40 games as a rookie.

This pairing has been stellar since being put together and for much of the second half has been the Rangers best defensive duo and the combination of their ice time and role to shut down the second line of the Washington Capitals makes them critical to any success the Rangers are going to have. 

In addition to those three, Mats Zuccarello will be another rookie the Rangers are hopeful to get contributions from during the series.  Coach John Tortorella has opted to play Zuccarello in game one over veteran Sean Avery because of the potential upside of Zuke offensively and avoiding any potential penalty downside with Avery.  Zuccarello excelled in the shootout in the regular season, but there are none of those in playoff hockey.  He was very good early in his time with the Rangers, but tailed off late to the point he was on the fourth line and finally sent down to the minors.  He was recalled for the finale and played well in limited to minutes so it is tough to expect much of an impact from him in series based on his limited opportunities.

All of these players have played in big games before in their careers, but nothing truly prepares you for NHL playoff hockey other than being in the games themselves and that is the challenge all of these rookies are going to have deal with.  The Rangers have said all along that this year is about building for the future and all four of these players are going to gain invaluable experience for their futures with each second of playoff hockey they play right now.  The Rangers want these guys to prepare for the future, but they also have to rely on them now.

Video: Rangers-Capitals Higlight Compilation, Richter History Will Be Made

To get you ready for tonight's opening game James Wrabel aka @TheWrage put together the following compilation of Rangers-Capitals highlights that is a must watch.




Along with that Eric of 5-hole Blog made a History Will Be Made commercial out of my favorite save of all-time when Richter stoned Bure on the penalty shot during the 1994 Cup Finals.



Tremendous work by both

Rangers Chances At Upset Hinge On Lundqvist

AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

There will be lots of different keys to the Eastern Conference Quaterfinals between the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals, but none are bigger for the Rangers to have a chance than Henrik Lundqvist.  Calling Lundqvist the key to the Rangers success is nothing new for him or them, but it holds true once again.  He is the only Rangers player with the capability of stealing a series and in order for the team to do just that he will likely have to steal at least one if not two games in the seven game set.

The Rangers have no idea which version of their offense will show up from night to night, but they can take comfort in the fact that they know their world class goaltender always does.  The Rangers made the postseason by two points on the final day of the season.  The only reason they had a chance to get help from the Lightning was because Lundqvist went 11-4-1 with a 2.10 goals-against average, .930 save percentage and three shutouts in his team's final 16 games. Having played in 26 straight games there is concern over fatigue for Lundqvist, but he has shown no signs of it to this point and cannot if the Rangers are to continue their season. 

Lundqvist went 2-1 in three starts against the Capitals, posting a 1.34 goals against average and .955 save percentage. Rangers fans have a lot of confidence from the two blowout wins in which the offense managed 13 goals, but lost in that is Lundqvist having shutout the Capitals in both of those games.  Lundqvist turned aside 66 consecutive shots in those final two games he played against the Capitals this year and helped to hold Alex Ovechkin without a goal against New York during the regular year.  It is unrealistic to expect that either of those two things continue in the playoffs, but it is not out of the question to expect Lundqvist to continue the form he had when he carried this team into position to make the playoffs.

The goaltending matchup is clearly the biggest advantage for the Rangers of any positional comparison and he has to take as much advantage of it as possible.  New York needs a full series from Lundqvist like he played the first four games of the 2009 matchup.  In those first four games Lundqvist stopped 141 of 149 shots and the Rangers were staked to a 3-1 lead before blowing the series.  Both Lundqvist and the team have a much different look and feel that says they will not blow that kind of advantage again.

If Henrik Lundqvist was not the best player of this series when it ends, then the Rangers are likely headed home.  He will certainly need help from his teammates both with scoring and protecting his net, but this team only goes as far as Lundqvist can carry them.

Wolski, Drury Wildcards For Rangers During Postseason

To win in the playoffs you need your stars to play to their capabilities, but you also need a few unsuspecting players to step their game up and bring more than might be expected of them.  For the Rangers heading into their series against the Washington Capitals Wojtek Wolski and Chris Drury are two wild cards that would greatly improve the chances of victory with strong play.

Wolski started strong for the Rangers and then tailed off to point of being a healthy scratch, but he played a critical role in each of the team’s final two victories during the regular season.  The skill has never been the question for Wolski, rather the effort and impact he has on the ice.  Wolski can be a top line talent and since being put with Derek Stepan and Vinny Prospal he has shown more of that talent.  Against the Bruins he played excellent hockey and was instrumental in both Vinny Prospal goals that gave the Rangers life to make the comeback possible.  Against the Devils he scored early in the second period to tie the game after the Devils had taken the lead late in period one.  If that goal does not happen when it did there is no telling how the rest of the game plays out because of the tension both in the crowd and the team the longer it took for them to get back to even.  These two games are the kinds of efforts that could make Wolski a key piece that isn’t necessarily accounted for when first analyzing the Rangers in a series.  If the other version of Wolski shows up the Rangers are likely to struggle for offense during the playoffs.

Chris Drury has had a horrendous season.  Between battling injuries and a lack of production when he has been on the ice the Rangers captain has been written off by many.  What Drury can bring to the team is playoff experience, penalty killing, faceoffs and leadership.  Do not expect him to go out and produce a lot of points, but the intangibles he can bring are important to a team as young as the Rangers are.  In the right role, Drury can still be a valuable asset to this club in the playoffs.  With Drury there is the concern over how healthy the knee is in terms of not only how effective he can be, but how long he will last in the lineup.

Neither of these two players will win or lose the series by themselves, but in each series role players can find big moments to have an impact and both of these players, whether it be the skill of Wolski or the experience of Drury have the ability to change a game in one of those crucial moments.

Rangers' Hope New Season Brings Back Gaborik's Old Form

The playoffs are often referred to as the “second season.”  They are also thought of as the time when stars rise to the top as opposed to those who produce big numbers in the regular season.  For the Rangers they hope that the fresh start helps to bring back the vintage version of Marian Gaborik and not the one who skated around in his sweater for the 2010-11 regular season. 

The numbers on Gaborik say that he had 22 goals and 48 points in his 62 games this season despite battling through both injuries that kept him off the ice and inconsistent lines throughout the season.  Those numbers were good enough to rank him third on the team in goals and tied for second on the team in points.  While respectable for some players that level of production is unacceptable from a player of Marian Gaborik’s talent level.

The Rangers have to hope that Gaborik takes the challenge of avenging his disappointing regular season and proves he should still be considered among the elite offensive players in the game.  The team needs that second version of Gaborik to come to the forefront if they are going to make a run in the playoffs.  If he does not do just that, then the stay in the second season could be over before the Rangers even reach the second round.

Peter Botte of the New York Daily News passes along quotes from John Tortorella Monday.

"For a lot of players that feel they've struggled a little bit, or even if they have played well, you wipe the slate clean here," Tortorella said after practice Monday. "I hope Gabby realizes the slate is clean. So let's get to work."

The key word there from Tortorella might be work.  The difference in the Gaborik that scored 42 goals last season and only 22 this year is the work rate he is playing with.  Last year the reason he was so successful was the speed, creativity and hands for sure, but also the willingness to go to the front of the net where he hound pucks to bury instead of hanging around the outside and making himself easy to defend.  If Gaborik decides to skate and press the Capitals defense he should be able to create problems for them and help propel the Rangers into the series.

The Rangers have gotten to where they are right now because so many players have overachieved and gotten the most out of their talents this year.  One who has not and has plenty more to provide in terms of production from the first season to the second one is Marian Gaborik.  Maybe there is a belief that the team can make a run without a producing Gaborik because they have basically been forced to do so already this year, but playoff hockey is a different animal and to survive your best players have to play at their best.  Those players have to want the pressure, not shrink from it.  Now for the Rangers and their fans all that is left is to hope Gaborik realizes that.

Chris Kreider Returns to BC

For those that were holding out hope that Rangers top prospect Chris Kreider would turn pro this summer those hopes have been officially dashed today.  Jerry York announced that Chris Kreider will be returning to the Boston College Eagles for his Junior season.  This should not be a surprise to those who have followed the comments of Kreider himself and how he has talked about wanting to be an impact player when he comes out and not just another professional player. 

From BCEagles.cstv.com:

Kreider recorded 24 points - 11 goals and 13 assists - in 32 games as a sophomore this winter. He missed five games in March because of a broken Jaw. The Boxford, Mass., resident earned Hockey East All-Rookie Team honors last winter and participated in the 2010 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championships in Germany. He has tallied 47 points - 26 goals and 21 assists - in 70 games during his two seasons at Boston College.

With the losses in the BC lineup Kreider will have a chance to be the man for the Eagles and take the next step in his development before considering turning pro in a year.

Rangers To Start 2011-12 Season In Sweden, Sign Carl Hagelin

The excitement over the playoffs is in full force as the team prepares for Wednesday’s opener in Washington, but beyond that there is news for the future of the Rangers organization.  The first bit of news is that the NHL has confirmed the New York Rangers will open next season in Stockholm Sweden against the Los Angeles Kings on October 7 and then the Anaheim Ducks October 8. 

Normally not a huge fan of the Rangers starting the year in Europe and how it messes with the schedule, but this time is different.  Madison Square Garden is going to be unavailable until the end of October for the renovations, so the team was going to be on the road regardless.  The fact that Henrik Lundqvist will get to go back and play in Sweden with this trip is another reason to be happy about it happening.  The team will likely still have a lengthy road trip when they return to the US.

The other news is that the Rangers official twitter account announced the team has signed 2007 six-round pick Carl Hagelin to an entry level contract starting next season and amateur tryout offer (ATO) to play for the Whale starting this weekend.  The six-foot, 187-pounder had 18 goals and 31 assists in 44 games in his senior season at Michigan and led his team to the NCAA title game where they lost to Minnesota-Duluth 3-2 in OT.  While it is unlikely, it would be special if Hagelin could make the team out of camp and play in Sweden to start his NHL career.

Can The Rangers Be The Flyers of This Postseason?

The New York Rangers are in the playoffs and maybe all you need to do to have a shot to win it is get in the dance and go from there.  The runs of both the Montreal Canadiens and especially Philadelphia Flyers in last year’s NHL playoffs gives every team and their fans hope that is the case.  The question becomes about whether the Rangers are capable of making the run or if thinking that way is just irrational hope by the fans about the chances of the team they love.  Can the Rangers be this year’s Flyers?

The Rangers have a lot of the ingredients that lead you to believe a deep run in the postseason, even if from the eighth seed.  Before we even get to the players that can make the difference the first thing you have to talk about with this Rangers club is their identity.  Playing a team game based on hard work, sacrificing the body, hitting, and a physical style is the kind of system that can succeed in the playoffs.  Combine those things with the fact the team has a resiliency both within games and from game to game is critical in a playoff series. 

To speak to their resiliency within games the Rangers were tied for second in the lead in wins when trailing after two periods with eight.  New York was also the only team to not lose a game in which they lead after two periods posting an astonishing 29-0-0 record in those situations.  When you are a team that has come back to win games and also knows when you have a lead you can keep it, then you add confidence to your club.  That is especially important given the Rangers youth overall and playoff inexperience in certain important roles this season.

Beyond those almost intangible qualities the Rangers possess a balanced offense, strong defense core and have arguably the best goalie in the world with Henrik Lundqvist.  One the keys to a long playoff run is going to be a goaltender getting hot at the right time and Lundqvist is certainly more than capable of that as he shown over the years and even the past two months.  Lundqvist played the final 26 games of the regular season for the Rangers going 15-10-1 with a 2.14 goals against average, .923 save percentage and four shutouts.

In front of Lundqvist the Rangers have a very good young defense core that is led by Marc Staal and Dan Girardi.  The pair is one of the top shutdown units in the league against the opposition’s top offensive line and is more than used to playing the huge minutes that will be required in the playoffs.  One difference for the Rangers this year as opposed to two years ago when they made the playoffs is that the emergence of Michael Sauer and Ryan McDonagh as a pair gives the Rangers a second defensive group to have faith in during the big moments.  Reacting to the new environment of the playoffs is an unknown, but with the way each has adjusted this season there is hope they will make the same transition there.

The thing that could hold the Rangers back from being the Flyers of this postseason is the inconsistency of their offensive attack.  The team put up 5+ goals on 16 different occasions this season, but they also going into scoring droughts that saw them score two or less 42 (not counting shootout goals) times this season.

There is no more better example of the offensive consistency issues the Rangers suffered from this season than their offensive headliner Marian Gaborik.  He has only 22 goals on the season, 10 of which came in three games.  If the team is going to make a run he is going to have to be a consistent producer in the extra season because behind him there is enough secondary scoring depth to make for a dangerous offensive unit.

If Gaborik gets hot to go with the Rangers style of play, their emerging young defense core and all world goaltending there is no reason they cannot make a run deep into June.