New York Rangers: Five Thoughts Through 60 Games Played

Every 10 games, Blue Line Station takes a look at what’s happened. Let’s take a look at how the New York Rangers look through 60 games played.

1. The New York Rangers went 8-2-1 in their last ten games, owning a +6 goal differential. In the ten game stretch prior, New York went 5-5, with a -3 goal differential. Perhaps more importantly, New York allowed only 26 goals in this past ten game stretch. That’s eight fewer goals against than the stretch before.

In the last “thoughts” column, I spoke about concern over Henrik Lundqvist. The team was letting him down, but he wasn’t playing to his capability either. Now, Lundqvist appears stable once again. New York cannot become complacent due to this truth.

Rather than accepting their defensive faults, it’s essential the Rangers take advantage of Lundqvist’s improvements. That means enhancing the defense, be it through lineup changes or by trade.

2. As for why Lundqvist has improved as much as he has, I think the systematic improvements have meant the most. The Rangers stressed ending their own-screens on Lundqvist, and the results have been tangible. Previously, Lundqvist could not see the puck. Shots were going in from the blue-line at low speeds.

Also worth considering: Lundqvist’s rough stretch was not that long.

Now that the Rangers understand that Lundqvist needs clear sight-lines (like any goalie does) they are able to defend accordingly. Additionally, with Lundqvist seeing and stopping pucks, his confidence is only growing. Look out, NHL.

3. The more I think about it, the more I wish the Rangers could trade Jimmy Vesey. Let me make this perfectly clear: I do not think Jimmy Vesey is a bad hockey player. In fact, he’s a good hockey player! He will have a bright future in the NHL, much like a Colin Wilson or a Brock Nelson.

But thanks to Vesey’s dramatic off-season decision and quick start to his NHL career, his value is through the roof. Teams look at him as a potential star, when his real ceiling is likely as a middle six forward.

Yes, the Rangers can use a cheap, young forward like Vesey, but they can use a defenseman even more. Vesey would be the perfect player to dangle for a defenseman. However, do not count on this one bit. Trading Vesey would be a logistical nightmare, as the Rangers convinced him to join the team less than a year ago.

Vesey won’t be traded, but in a perfect world he’s the perfect asset to go.

4. One of the most difficult things to determine this year is if the Rangers have a shot at the Cup or not. The road to the Cup would likely take the team through the Atlantic bracket, something I’m confident the Rangers could do. After that, however, it gets more difficult.

Could the Rangers defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins or Washington Capitals, then take down a Western Conference team? If the answer is yes, the Rangers are contenders. If the answer is no, the Rangers are not.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, and my answer is no and yes. I do not believe the Rangers as currently constructed could beat the Penguins or Capitals in a seven game series. I do believe the Ranges as currently constructed could beat any team in the Western Conference except for the Minnesota Wild.

Let’s go Blue Jackets?

5. While it’s easy to get upset about the Rangers defense, Ryan McDonagh and Brady Skjei are doing everything possible to add optimism. McDonagh is a top pair defenseman that has over 30 assists playing with Dan Girardi.

Skjei has played the majority of his rookie season with Kevin Klein, yet still would lead 19 different NHL teams’ defenses in assists. In his rookie season. As a rookie. First year. (You get me?)

McDonagh and Skjei will be the pillars of the Rangers defense for years to come. Considering the Rangers’ boatload of young talent up front and Lundqvist and Igor Shestyorkin in net, the future is brighter than ever.

Next: Rangers Thoughts Through 50 Games

Regardless of if this is the Rangers’ year or not, there are so many positives that can be taken from this season. This isn’t 2015-16 at all.

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