Hello old friends, it’s been a while but I have a few thoughts on my beloved Rangers that I just need to get off my chest. The 2017 Rangers have been more confusing than Kevin Shattenkirk’s hair (we love you Shatty). The season started as bad as anyone could have imagined. The Rangers went 2-6-2 in their first 10 games and the team was a straight dumpster fire. Fans had their pitchforks and torches and were calling for Vigneault’s head on a platter. Then with Vegas in town it looked like things were at their tipping point. Rangers were down 4-2 going into the third period, Vigneault was probably mentally preparing to clear out his office after the game, and The Garden was ready to implode right before the Rangers miraculously pulled out a 4-goal third period and completely turned the season around. That win kicked off a 6 game winning streak that continued into them going 10-3 in their next 13. They were riding an 8 game home winning streak before losing 5-4 last night against the Florida Panthers. The Rangers are very much back in the playoff race and are rounding into shape.

All that being said, what kind of team are these New York Rangers? Were they a team who was extremely under preforming in the beginning of the season? Is the current hot streak they’re on just that, a hot streak that they will ultimately come down from? I say they are somewhere in between. Are they going to be a top team in the east, battling for the President’s Trophy? No. Absolutely not. Are they good enough to make the playoffs in a wild card spot, possibly top 3 in the Metro? Yes absolutely. The Rangers are in the midst of a mini “rebuild” They are definitely turning over to a younger roster and preparing for the future while still making sure they are competitive. They may not be the top Cup contenders that they have been in the past but they will still be that perennial playoff team.

The biggest issue with the team this year has been defensive consistency. Too many times have the Rangers turned the puck over in their own zone which lead to goals. All teams turn the puck over now and then. That’s part of the game. However when the Rangers do it, it always seem to be at the worst possible time. Whether it’s a miscommunication behind the net or a clearing pass through the middle of the ice that gets picked off at the blue line, the puck always ends up in the back of the net. They have also started slow and have fallen behind early in too many games. The Rangers have found themselves in more first period holes this season than I’m sure they would have liked. The only difference is during their recent win streak they have found ways to dig themselves out of those holes to come back and win games. If they want to remain successful and make a deep run this season they will have to clean up their defensive woes and slow starts. It will be very difficult to make a deep playoff run if they’re starting off games against teams like Columbus or Pittsburgh down a couple goals early in games.

Not everything has been negative though. Mika Zibanejad and Pavel Buchnevich have emerged on this team as rising stars. Them along with Chris Kreider have come together to form a formidable top line for this Rangers team. New comer Kevin Shattenkirk has been exactly as advertised: a masterful passer and puck possessor but a little bit of a liability in his own end. Veterans such as Nash, Hayes, Miller, and McDonagh have all been good as well.  Missing Jesper Fast in the beginning of the season hurt much more than many fans would have thought. He is one of if not the most underrated player on the team and the team’s recent winning ways have coincided with him returning to the lineup. Coincidence? I think not. Fast is elite in the defensive zone, is a very strong penalty killer, and can add a little offense when needed.

All things considered, I am happy with the Rangers so far. Do they have flaws? Yes. Everyone knew coming into the season that they lacked center depth and defense could be a little bit of a question mark. But what a lot of people didn’t know was how good this offense would be. These young guys can play. They have shown that they can score with anyone. Now if only they can figure out how to consistently defend in front of Hank, the Rangers can be a legitimate Cup contender again. Let’s just hope they figure it out while the King still has his game so he can get his ring before he retires. oh, and let’s go Rangers!!!

-Kev