Jan 2, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Members of the New York Rangers celebrate after the 2012 Winter Classic against the Philadelphia Flyers at Citizens Bank Park. The Rangers won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
I’m sure all of you have seen the schedule by now. The Ranger’s schedule will be very similar to the one they had in the 2011-2012 season. They will start off the year with a brutally tough 9 game road trip due to the final stage of the renovations taking place at MSG. After October though, the Rangers will have more home games then road games in every month except for March. Hockey fans will not be able to breathe this year with the amount of action that is on tap. Between all the outdoor games, the Olympics, and then the Stanley Cup playoffs fans will be heavily entertained with all of what is going on this season. As for us Ranger fans there are a ton of games on the calendar that we will be very interested in, but what are the most exciting games on slate for Ranger fans this year? Here are my five most anticipated games of the 2013-2014 season: (In no particular order)
1.) November 30th, 2013 vs. Vancouver- This game is one that not only Ranger/Canuck fans do not want to miss, but fans of hockey in
Apr. 18, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers head coach John Tortorella reacts behind the bench against the Florida Panthers during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Rangers won 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports
general do not want to miss this game. Obviously for the sole reason of the coaching swap that took place this most recent spring. It will be very odd for Ranger fans to see John Tortorella behind the bench of the visiting team at MSG. It will be very odd for Canuck fans to see AV behind the visitors bench at the Rogers Center. But Tortorella’s homecoming is a game that Ranger fans do not want to miss. The excitement in the building will be ecstatic on this upcoming Saturday Matinee when the two teams face off in late November. However, what fans do not want to miss even more will be Tort’s press conference following the game.
2) December 12th, 2013 vs. Columbus- The game against Vancouver has the story line of a coaching swap. This game has the story line of a multiple player swap. Nash, Brassard, Moore, and Dorsett have all made the move from Ohio to Manhattan. On the flip side, Gaborik, Anisimov, Dubinsky, Erixon, and even Tyutin for that matter have all left the big city for the Buckeye state. It will be very interesting to see these teams play having so many ex-members of each team on the ice. It will be very confusing. Even with the ex-coach of the Blue Jackets Scott Arniel being behind the Blueshirts bench as an assistant coach this game will have several story lines. It should be fun for Ranger fans to see Anisimov, Dubinsky, and Gabby all come back to MSG and play for the opposing team.
3) January 26th, 2014 vs. New Jersey (Yankee Stadium)- The outdoor games speak for themselves. Though I believe the NHL has made the wrong choice with having six outdoor games next year, there is no way I will not be tuning into to all of them. The rivalry between New Jersey has grown substantially since the 2012 Eastern Conference Final. I can not wait to see these teams face off outdoors at a venue that is famous around the world. I also cannot wait to see the atmosphere in the stadium when these rivals clash outdoors in late January. It will be fun, action-packed, and everything a Ranger fan can ask for.
4) January 29th, 2014 vs. New York Islanders (Yankee Stadium)-Another outdoor game for the Blueshirts, two days after they play the Devils at the Stadium. I actually think this game will be more enjoyable than the outdoor game against the Devils for two reasons. One, it is at night which is pretty darn cool if you ask me. Two, I believe the Islanders will be a better team this year than the Devils therefore making this game more competitive. It should be incredible taking the “Battle of NY” outdoors at Yankee Stadium. Imagine how cool it is going to sound when you hear
Apr. 16, 2013; Bronx, NY, USA; Police officers patrol outside before the game between the New York Yankees and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports
“Potvin Sucks” at Yankee Stadium?
5) January 23rd, 2014 vs. St. Louis Blues- This game is a game I think fans do not want to miss. Sure there are a ton of other games fans do not want to miss with other great match-ups but this one stands out to me the most. It stands out to me because I think both the Rangers and the Blues can potentially be the best teams in their respective conferences this upcoming season. It will be better than the game in St. Louis at the beginning of the year as well because both teams (especially the Rangers) will have better chemistry by this time. They will both be more complete teams and when they face off it will be special on this Thursday evening in January. I am anticipating on the Blues and Rangers to have an incredible game when they meet this night.
What games are you Blueshirt fans looking forward to the most this year?