The New York Rangers are on a hot streak. They have won seven of their last nine games and four of six since our last report. The question is, is this team for real?
Record since our last market report: 4-1-1
Scores: NYR vs MTL W 5-3, NYR @ DET OTL 3-2, NYR @ CBJ SOW 5-4, NYR vs VAN W 2-1, NYR @ NYI L 7-5, NYR vs FLA W 4-2
The New York Rangers have won six of their last eight, seven of their last nine and have a five game win streak at home. They are currently two games above .500 and have managed to crank out five overtime victories to keep them afloat. How? Well…puck luck and determination. What this team lacks in star power (outside of Henrik Lundqvist) and lacks in defensive ability, they make up for in compete level. This team has no quit in them and credit that to coach David Quinn.
The Rangers’ offensive lines have finally started clicking. While their defense looks borderline inept at times, their offense has been able to bail them out of precarious situations. When the offense isn’t clicking? As it’s been for the past 13 years, it’s Henrik Lundqvist who comes to the rescue. While it’s unfair to the rest of the team, Henrik Lundqvist has deserved to be an “up” for virtually the entirety of this season. He has bailed the Rangers out of their god awful defense at times, and is almost the sole reason that the Rangers have been winning games.
The Rangers are in a strange position. The team that was expected to be downright awful this season currently sits in third place in the Metropolitan division. The way the standings currently sit, they may even have a shot at a playoff spot. Rangers hockey is in a strange place.