When you think of the New York Rangers and their goal scoring ability, there’s almost always one name that comes to mind: Rick Nash. After an impressive regular season, and a mediocre post season, the question that remains is if Nash can have another year like he did in both the regular season and playoffs.
For a recap of Nash’s top five goals from the 2014-15 season, take a look here.
Nash finished 3rd atop the NHL leader boards in goals scored with 42, one behind Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, and 11 behind Washington Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin. Although Nash didn’t bring home the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy as the League’s best goal scorer, but his goal’s during the regular season led the Rangers to an impressive 53-22-7 record, along with the Presidents’ Trophy as the best team in the NHL.
As the post season came along, it seemed Nash slowed down with his goal scoring production, notching only five in 19 games. However, the thing about Nash that is loved is that his play on the defensive side of the puck jumps up by a staggering amount.
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Nash knows his offensive slows, so he kicks his defense into overdrive. But that’s definitely not what Nash was brought to New York to do. Solid body checks and hard skating on the back check show heart.
Nash is bound to have a great year next season, but the playoffs are a different story. But that’s in May, and the Rangers should first focus on getting back to the postseason. To do that, the Rangers will need Nash to play at his best again.
His quick moving feet on the rush allow Nash to become a deadly weapon for a cross crease pass, but that’s not where Nash shines. It’s his one-on-one moves that sets him apart from other power forwards. Take a look at this video:
As Nash comes into the zone he goes wide to the face off dot, and splits his man completely. As he slides the puck through the defender’s legs, the blade of his stick catches it, and in the same motion moves the puck forward. As he’s falling to the ice, Nash manages to get the puck over to Carl Hagelin, and he buries the puck in the net.
If you thought that through the leg move was impressive, you should see Nash in a shootout. Every time it’s a similar move, yet always manages to get the goalie out of sorts. Nash has almost made it his trademark, his back hand to forehand move will catch a lot of goalies out of position, this is deadly to them, great for the Rangers.
Get ready for another roller coaster of a season with the Rangers this year, it’ll be a nail biter. My hope is that Nash can lead this team this year, just like he did with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Perhaps, that was the hardest adjustment for Nash to get accustomed to. He was coming from a team where he was the guy who had to do it all on the offensive side, to a team where he had great passing up and down the lineup.
Nash can and will feel comfortable in the playoffs, and it seems every year he gets closer and closer. If everything works out, Nash should come back with yet another strong effort for the 2015-16 NHL season.
Next: Rick Nash's Top Five Goals of 2014-15
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