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New York Rangers: Offense Has Been Key in Hot Start

By Timothy Haggerty |
Oct 19, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (93) is congratulated after scoring a goal against the Detroit Red Wings during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (93) is congratulated after scoring a goal against the Detroit Red Wings during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

Through seven games this season, the Rangers have jumped off to a 5-2-0 record and stand alone atop the Metropolitan Division with 10 points. Their lethal offense has been a major part of their red hot start.

Obviously, scoring is an essential part to winning a hockey. But when you’re scoring like the New York

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Rangers have been through their first seven games, it makes winning a whole lot easier. The Rangers are in first place in goals per game with 3.86.

If this is something they can keep up, it will make things much easier for Henrik Lundqvist and the defense to help the Rangers win games.

It’s not just the first line that is doing the scoring. The goals are coming from all different parts of the team.

New Faces

New additions to the Rangers this year have made a significant impact on the score sheet. Mika Zibanejad, acquired from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Derrick Brassard, had tallied two goals and five assists.

Brandon Pirri signed on a one year 1.1 million dollar deal in August, has added four goals and two assists to the action. Jimmy Vesey, 2016 Hobey Baker Award winner, has four goals and an assist. These three have played a huge role in the offense. If they keep it up, the Rangers will be a lot better than expected this year.

Defense Wins Championships

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Even the defenseman are getting in on the scoring action. Ryan McDonagh has six assists, while Dan Girardi, Nick Holden, Brady Skjei, and Marc Staal all have two points each.

Defense was a pressing issue for the Rangers this season that they opted to ignore. Instead, they went out and built up the spectacular offense they have now. However, the defense has done an excellent job keeping the puck out of the net this year (2.9 goals allowed per game, 9th in the league).

However, the defense has done an excellent job keeping the puck out of the net this year (2.9 goals allowed per game, 9th in the league).

The good start from the forwards allows for more trade flexibility if they wish to pursue young defensemen such as Jacob Trouba (Winnipeg Jets) or Kevin Shattenkirk (St. Louis Blues). The Rangers have been in the mix for both of these entities, however, they have struggled with finding the right package. Let’s not be fooled by the great start, this defensive core still needs help.

Playing well against the league’s best

Over the recent winning the stretch, the Rangers have beaten a couple tough opponents. They’ve conquered the 2016 Presidents-Trophy-winning Washington Capitals, 2016 Stanley Cup Finalist San Jose Sharks, and the New York Islanders who made it to the Eastern Conference Semifinals this past spring.

Next: Chris Kreider Has Made Himself Indespensable

The Rangers will look to keep the wins coming in the next week against the Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning, St. Louis Blues, and Edmonton Oilers.

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