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New York Rangers: Why getting off to a hot start is so important

By Nicholas Zararis

COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 13: Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Artemi Panarin (9) scores a goal during the third period in a game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the New York Rangers on October 13, 2017, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH.(Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 13: Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Artemi Panarin (9) scores a goal during the third period in a game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the New York Rangers on October 13, 2017, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH.(Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 13: Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Artemi Panarin (9) scores a goal during the third period in a game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the New York Rangers on October 13, 2017, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH.(Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 13: Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Artemi Panarin (9) scores a goal during the third period in a game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the New York Rangers on October 13, 2017, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH.(Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The other 7 teams in the Metropolitan Divison are either just as good as they were last season or have gotten even better.

Last season the Rangers finished as the first wild card earning 104 points with 48 regulation victories. The team had seven points of breathing room between them and the next closest team, the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The problem for the Rangers this season is that the pushover teams from last season. The Carolina Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers and as Saturday night proved, the New Jersey Devils are all better. There will not be any bankable divisional points where the Rangers can just ride their talent against a lesser opponent.

I haven’t even mentioned the reigning Presidents Trophy winner Washington Capitals or the reigning Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins. On paper, both teams are outright better than the Rangers and so far look much better on the ice.

Then, there are those pesky Columbus Blue Jackets and the New York Islanders. The Blue Jackets surprised last season, and have a considerable amount of depth at the forward position. The Islanders ability to get up for games against the Rangers the past several seasons cannot be overstated. The Islanders also went and added Jordan Eberle to give John Tavares a fitting linemate.

In reality, any team other than the Devils making the playoffs would not be a total shock. So the Rangers have their work cut out for them just in terms of who they play a majority of their games against.

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