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New York Rangers Poll: Who Poses Biggest Threat?

By Patrick Comia

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New York Rangers fans, the new season is almost here. With just a little over a month and two weeks left until we see the boys take the ice again, it’s time to shift our attention forwards.

That means getting ready for everything that comes with the preseason (Traverse City, informal training and practices, team training camp, and exhibition games).

However, with those, questions will be raised about what should we expect from our team this season. Have the teams surrounding our Rangers become prime candidates to knock off them off the Metropolitan perch?

Quite a few additions to their division rivals have been made this offseason, but they still have to show to play the games. No one should be crowning any team the division, based on names on paper.

But, let’s briefly look at the this year’s likely contenders for the title of Metropolitan Division Champions.

New York Islanders (2014-2015: 47-28-7, 101 points, tied for 2nd place in the Metropolitan)

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Islanders proved they are a team to be reckoned with last season. After years of frustration and humiliation, the team grew up into a ‘legitimate’ contender. If it were not for late season injuries to key players, such as Johnny Boychuk, Nick Leddy, and Kyle Okposo, who knows what may have happened.

They raised eyebrows and became the talk of the city for a bit. No doubts they have talent and did not feel the need to tinker with their lineup to remain competitive this season.

With a new building (Barclay’s Center), will the Islanders draw on last year’s magic and start a new chapter of winning?

Washington Capitals (2014-2015: 45-26-11, 101 points, tied for 2nd place in the Metropolitan)

D.C. added some firepower to their arsenal this summer. With the additions of U.S. Olympic hero T.J. Oshie from the St. Louis Blues and ‘Mr. Game Seven’ free agent Justin Williams to their lineup, the team is taking their playoff quest seriously.
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

They have a proven goaltender in Braden Holtby, a strong blue line led by Matt Niskanen, and their captain and last year’s ‘Rocket’ Richard recipient Alex Ovechkin.

Their fans have to get feel good about their chances, and ready to crank up their arena horn louder and more frequent when visitors come to town.

However, they still have to get over the hump of beating the Rangers, especially in the playoffs. New York has knocked the Capitals out of the playoffs in three of the past four seasons. All three have gone the full seven games.

Last season, the series was famously known for it’s one-goal difference in each game.

So will this year be the year the Capitals and it’s fans ‘rock the red’ past the Rangers?

Pittsburgh Penguins (2014-2015: 43-27-12, 98 points, fourth place in the Metropolitan)

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The Penguins added

Phil Kessel

to their lineup that’s headlined by

Sidney Crosby

and

Evgeni Malkin

.

But, will it be enough to get them back into being the team to beat?

As we saw last season, their defense was depleted of their mainstays, and had to depend on their prospects to help fill in the gaps.

Their forward group is getting older, and may need a change in personnel.

Chris LaFrance-USA TODAY Sports

Pascal Dupuis is coming off a health scare that caused him to miss most of last season. He is 36-years old, and Chris Kunitz is 35.

It seems it’s the same lineup every year, with little turnover.

With the same personnel heading into this season, the same result may appear for the Penguins. Despite adding Kessel, will it be enough?

Which brings up to our poll question. Answer below and let us know who you think will pose the greatest threat to the Rangers this season in the Metropolitan Division.

Next: Rangers Ok Stoll To Wear #26, But Was It Too Soon?

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