The Rangers Rollercoaster.
What a fun ride it has been this far.
A little over a month ago I end with… “This is the season to sit back and enjoy watching the young kids grow as that is going to be the new core of this team now.” We are all witnesses to the growth of this team.
Kreider is the defacto captain and man is he playing like it. The talent was always there, the consistency was the problem. His combination of speed and size makes up for the lack of super skill, which he clearly doesn’t need when he’s blowing by people ripping snappers before the goalie can blink, or he’s standing his big body in front of the net cleaning up and getting the tough goals. We’ve been waiting for this to come together for a while, on pace for 40+ goals this season. It’s a much welcomed sight.
Andersson was called up, and he’s played ok, but still has yet to really get the offensive game going. Zuccarello went down with an injury leaving a hole up top. In steps Filip Chytil. His first 5 games on the top line, 5 goals. One in each game. It earned him the moniker of “Chytilmania.” They were going to need scoring from somewhere and he has definitely stepped it up and added some more offense to this team.
Zibanejad makes the Brassard trade look better and better with each game. He is a top two way center, something the Rangers haven’t had in quite some time. He plays hard all game on both ends of the ice and produces just under a point a game.
Defensively Pionk still impresses, and Smith has really turned his game around from last year which is a welcome sight. He is also never afraid to lay the big hit or drop the gloves for his teammates. DeAngelo has played well himself and the Rangers might have found something with him. I’m a big Skjei guy but something just feels lacking in his game, not sure what exactly, but he just seems off all around. Not the standout we need him to be or thought he could be. Staal……please go.
Lastly the King. The guy is playing way above his performance from a season ago. He seems more focused, he seems healthy, having fun, the youth movement has maybe jolted a spark back in him. He’s playing out of his mind making huge saves keeping them in games and winning them games this year and it’s really really awesome to watch considering some people were calling for a change last year. He’s still one of the best in the league and the world and he is proving it once again this year, this teams MVP thus far.
3rd in the metropolitan division, 28 points. Right in the middle of it as this season continues on. This team is always a guarantee to keep fighting no matter what and I don’t expect that to change with Quinn at the helm. They have bought in to what he’s selling, and so far, it’s working.
As always, Let’s Go Rangers!
Eric Romeo