New York Rangers: Top 10 Games/Performances in Team History
May 5, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Rangers fans cheer as the New York Rangers take the ice before the start of game three of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Rangers have had a long and illustrious history. Then again, when you’re one of the NHL’s Original Six, you’re going to have quite a bit of history just by circumstance.
In their 89 years of existence, the Rangers have had plenty of worthwhile moments, games and performances. They’ve been one of the best teams in the league for the last few years, making more and more moments for any list that could be made.
In the near-century the Rangers have existed, there have been many triumphant moments and more than a few let-downs. After all, you don’t go 54 years between Stanley Cup Championships without at least a few bad moments, right?
Most fans are familiar with the glory days of Messier, Leetch and Richter or the reign of King Henrik, but with an illustrious franchise like the Rangers, there are so many more worth noting.
But what are the 10 best in franchise history? What are the performances that everyone remembers, that anyone can tell you where they were at that moment or vividly tell you exactly how it happened?
That’s what we’re here for. These are the 10 best performances/games in the history of the New York Rangers.
Next: Begin Slideshow
Jan 23, 2014; New York, NY, USA; A general view of the ice rink prior to the game between the New York Rangers and the St. Louis Blues at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
10. Rangers Advance to 2014 Finals
To say the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals was an odd series would be an understatement. The Canadiens were arguably the favorites coming into the series, having topped their rivals from Boston while the Rangers escaped a second-round matchup with the Pittsburgh Penguins by the skin of their teeth.
But one collision in Game One would change the course of the entire series. Chris Kreider, charging hard towards the net, would collide with Habs goalie Carey Price in the goal mouth, knocking Price out for the remainder of the series. There was great debate about the intent of the play, but Kreider remained in the series while Price watched from the bench.
The Canadiens would be forced to lean on Dustin Tokarski for the remainder of the series and things got a little wild, including a pair of games in Montreal that featured the winning team scoring seven goals.
The Rangers were able to hold on in tight Games Four and Five to put themselves in a position to close out the series.
That came in the decisive Game Six, where Dominic Moore scored the only goal of the game and The King, Henrik Lundqvist, would post a series-ending shutout to send the Rangers to their first Final in a decade.
Next: Mark Messier's Last Game
Mark Messier is the greatest captain the Rangers have ever had, but who will be the next one? (blog.nj.com)
9. Mark Messier’s Final Game at MSG
It couldn’t have been more perfect a night, really.
New York’s hero, the man who led them to the Promised Land for the first time in 54 years, was playing in what many believed would be (and what ultimately was) his last game in front of the Madison Square Garden crowd.
Though the Rangers didn’t walk away victorious that night – the visiting Buffalo Sabres won the game 4-3 – it really couldn’t have been more of a fitting send off for the man many felt was the greatest leader in the history of the game.
Messier scored his 694th and final NHL goal in front of an appreciative home crowd. As was per usual with the then-43-year-old, he had yet to give a definitive answer as to whether or not he would return for the 2004-05 season (which would be canceled anyway) but he got the heroes send-off that he had ultimately earned in his two stints as Rangers captain.
Messier wrapped up a 25-year NHL career in the place that he made relevant once again. The image of him excitedly hoisting the Stanley Cup in front of that crowd at Madison Square Garden will likely live on for as long as the NHL does.
Next: Stepan Does it in Overtime
May 13, 2015; New York, NY, USA; The New York Rangers celebrate after defeating the Washington Capitals during the overtime period of game seven of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers defeated the Capitals 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
8. Derek Stepan Does it in Overtime
The 2015 Eastern Conference Semifinal series against the Washington Capitals was an intense affair. Similar to the 2014 Pittsburgh series, the Rangers found themselves in a difficult situation: trailing the Capitals three games to one in the best of seven series after four straight one-goal games.
The Rangers would rally, taking Game Five in overtime before eeking out Game Six on the road in the Verizon Center in Washington before heading back to the friendly confines of Madison Square Garden for the seventh and decisive game.
The game would of course head to overtime, a pair of goals between the two teams. Both teams traded chances during the extra frame, until Derek Stepan would take advantage of a great opportunity. After an icing call, Stepan would win the face-off, and net a goal after a Dan Girardi slap shot. For the second time in two years, the Rangers would come back in a series after being down three games to one.
For the Capitals, meanwhile, this would be the fifth time in franchise history that they would lose a series despite leading three games to one, the most in NHL history. Quite the opposite feeling to say the least. Sorry, Caps fans.
Next: Farewell to the Great One
Credit: USA TODAY
7. The Great One’s Last Game
It was bound to happen, but April 18, 1999 still didn’t feel real: Wayne Gretzky would play his last NHL game. Even in the twilight of his career, Gretzky posted impressive numbers for the Blueshirts, just one year removed from a 90-point season. He had managed just nine goals in 1998-99, but still finished the season with 62 points in 70 games.
His final game was played against the Pittsburgh Penguins, a 2-1 overtime loss, but that didn’t change the celebratory mood in MSG. Gretzky later told reporter Scott Morrison:
“My last game in New York was my greatest day in hockey…Everything you enjoy about the sport of hockey as a kid, driving to practice with mom [Phyllis] and dad [Walter], driving to the game with mom and dad, looking in the stands and seeing your mom and dad and your friends, that all came together in that last game in New York”
The game also featured a very literal passing of the torch. Gretzky, long perceived as the greatest who had ever put on a pair of skates, hugged Penguins star Jaromir Jagr, considered to be the game’s current (at that time) great scorer.
With every accolade possible under his belt, the Great One could skate off into the MSG sunset.
Next: A Little Marty Magic
May 25, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers right wing Martin St. Louis (26) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring the game-winning goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the overtime period in game four of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
6. Martin St. Louis Wins Game 4 in Overtime
Given the histories of both franchises, it should be no surprise that the Rangers and Montreal Canadiens meet a couple of times on this list. It is just happenstance that two of those games came in the same series during the 2014 Eastern Conference playoffs.
The Rangers had a 2-1 lead in the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals , having had the somewhat fortunate collision of Chris Kreider on Carey Price happen in Game One. Rookie Dustin Tokarski had performed admirably to that point, having led the Canadiens to a 3-2 overtime win at Madison Square Garden in Game Three.
Game Four would have to be decided in similar fashion, with the game tied 2-2 after three periods of play. Just six minutes into overtime, Marty St. Louis would continue his post season heroics.
The Canadiens couldn’t clear their own zone on two separate attempts. The puck would find a wide open St. Louis, who would not waste the opportunity, roofing the puck for the win. The MSG crowd went haywire for good reason: overtime goals were exciting enough, but this one gave the Rangers a massive 3-1 series lead and their first trip to the Finals in a decade was within reach.
Next: Brad Richards' 6.6 Goal
May 13, 2015; New York, NY, USA; The New York Rangers celebrate after defeating the Washington Capitals during the overtime period of game seven of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers defeated the Capitals 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
5. Brad Richards’ 6.6 Goal
Like the aforementioned Canadiens, the Rangers have met up with the Washington Capitals on more than a few occasions in the Stanley Cup playoffs in the 2000s. Before 2012, it usually hadn’t worked out too well for the Blueshirts.
The two teams would once again meet during the 2012 playoffs, heading into Game Five with the series tied at two apiece. The Rangers were down 2-1 with 21.3 seconds left when Joel Ward would made things interesting by taking a double minor penalty, leaving the Rangers on the advantage.
Brad Richards, to that point, had had something of a disappointing tenure with the Rangers. He signed a massive free agent contract in the summer, coming off back-to-back impressive seasons with the Dallas Stars. Year one didn’t go so swimmingly for Richards, with his expectations outweighing his production.
But in Game Five, Richards would wipe all of that way. With just 6.6 seconds remaining in regulation, Richards buried the game-tying goal to send it to overtime. Those 6.6 seconds would mark the latest game-tying goal in Rangers history and it could not have possibly come at a more important time. The Rangers would go on to win in the extra session with a Marc Staal goal and went on to win the series.
Next: Marty Does it For Mom
May 11, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta (3) and New York Rangers right wing Martin St. Louis (26) skate for position in game six of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers defeated the Penguins 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
4. Marty St. Louis’ Mother’s Day Magic
One thing you’ll notice about this list is that the Rangers have a penchant for pulling off the improbable. And the 2014 Playoffs were absolutely full of the improbable.
After the Rangers won Game One in overtime, the Pittsburgh Penguins ripped off three straight games from the Rangers. The future looked grim for the Rangers and they hadn’t exactly had a history of unlikely comebacks prior to then. That is until some unfortunate news united the team.
Sadly, winger Martin St. Louis’ mother passed away before Game Five of the series. The Rangers rallied around their teammate and started playing with a renewed sense of purpose and drive. The Rangers would win Game Five in convincing fashion, rolling the Penguins 5-1 on road ice.
Somewhat ironically, the very pivotal Game Six would not only take place at home, but on Mother’s Day as well. St. Louis would do his absolute best to honor his mother, scoring a huge goal for the Rangers that would ultimately propel them to a Game Six win.
St. Louis’ performance and passion would help lead the Rangers to a big series win over the Penguins and ultimately their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance in 20 years.
Next: Matteau! Matteau! Matteau!
Apr 16, 2015; New York, NY, USA; The New York Rangers and their fans celebrate after defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins following the third period of game one of the first round of the the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers defeated the Penguins 2-1 to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
3. Matteau! Matteau! Matteau!
Following Mark Messier’s hat trick in Game Six of the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals, one would think the Rangers had all of the momentum in their matchup against dreaded rival New Jersey. And for 59 minutes of Game Seven, they did. Then, in the final seconds of regulation, Valeri Zelepukin would find the puck in a scramble in front of Mike Richter to tie the game and send it to an extra session.
The first overtime period resulted in no goals, but the Rangers were showing their speed and had momentum going for them. It was mentioned by MSG announcer John Davidson that Rangers’ Stephan Matteau was showing some jump.
After a failed cross-ice pass by Devils defensemen Viacheslav Fetisov, Matteau broke up the defensive break out and performed a simple wrap-around shot. Devils netminder Marty Brodeur couldn’t cover the post with his paddle and the puck sailed off of his skate and into the net, advancing the Rangers to the Finals for the chance to bring home their first Stanley Cup championship in 54 seasons.
Not only was the play known for Matteau’s goal, but it cannot be mentioned without Rangers’ broadcaster Howie Rose’s voice sounding off in your head with his now-famous call.
Next: The Captain's Guarantee
Oct 9, 2014; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers great Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier watch the action against the Calgary Flames in the first period at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Chris LaFrance-USA TODAY Sports
2. The Captain’s Guarantee
Let’s set the scene: It was the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals. The New York Rangers had loaded up for a run at the Stanley Cup, looking to end their 54-year drought without a championship. Rookie net minder Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils, the rivals from across the river, had a 3-2 series lead heading into the possibly-deciding Game Six.
Mark Messier, considered at this point one of the all-time great captains in NHL history, felt he needed to inject his team with some confidence heading into that game in Jersey. And so the guarantee was born: “We will win tonight.”
After the Devils took a 2-0 lead, the it looked as though Messier’s promise would ultimately go empty. But an Alex Kovalev slap shot sparked some life into the team before it was Messier’s time to take over. His third period hat trick still resonates as one of the greatest playoff performances in NHL history, with ESPN announcer Gary Thorne errupting “Do you believe it?! Do you believe it?! He said we will win game six and he has just picked up the hat trick!” Messier’s outburst helped erase a two-goal deficit and may have given the Rangers the momentum that helped propel them to the aforementioned double-overtime Game Seven win.
Of course, that mythical Game Six performance would ultimately lead to…
Next: Game 7
Jun 9, 2014; New York, NY, USA; A general view during the playing of the national anthem before game three of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final between the New York Rangers and the Los Angeles Kings at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
1. 1994 Stanley Cup Finals, Game 7
It had been 54 long and painful years since the Blueshirts had won a Stanley Cup championship and their first crack at it since they lost to the Montreal Canadiens in 1979. But with the additions of Mark Messier and Mike Keenan, the Rangers were poised for a deep run.
Coming off the now-legendary series against the New Jersey Devils with The Guarantee and “Matteau! Matteau! Matteau!”, it seemed as though destiny could not stop the Rangers. But the Vancouver Canucks had no intention of being a footnote in Rangers’ history.
The Rangers had lost a 3-1 series lead, getting handled by the Canucks in Games Five and Six of the series to the tune of 10-4 and the momentum seemed to be in the corner of the Canucks heading back to MSG for Game Seven.
The game itself couldn’t have been scripted any better. Goals by Brian Leetch, Adam Graves, and Mark Messier led the team to a 3-2 victory. Goaltender Mike Richter may have ultimately been the catalyst, though. His 28 saves on the night would help send the home crowd into a frenzy as they got to see their Rangers hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup for the first time in over a half-century.