Blue Line Station
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New York Rangers all-time top forward lines

By Jim Madden

New York Rangers Jaromir Jagr and Martin Straka in action against the Tampa Bay Lighting. New York Rangers defeat the Tampa Bay Lighting 4-2 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York on December 22, 2005. (Photo by Dave Saffran/NHLImages)
New York Rangers Jaromir Jagr and Martin Straka in action against the Tampa Bay Lighting. New York Rangers defeat the Tampa Bay Lighting 4-2 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York on December 22, 2005. (Photo by Dave Saffran/NHLImages) /
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(Original Caption) This is a group of victorious Rangers in their dressing room after the New York Hockey team won their first Stanley Cup championship in seven years at Toronto. Bryan Hextall, (L), slammed in the winning score in an overtime period, to win for the rangers 3-2, over the Toronto Maple Leafs. In the center is Goalie Kerr, and at right is Coach Frank Boucher.
(Original Caption) This is a group of victorious Rangers in their dressing room after the New York Hockey team won their first Stanley Cup championship in seven years at Toronto. Bryan Hextall, (L), slammed in the winning score in an overtime period, to win for the rangers 3-2, over the Toronto Maple Leafs. In the center is Goalie Kerr, and at right is Coach Frank Boucher. /

# 6 – 1940 – A Stanley Cup champion line

The New York Rangers of the early forties were coached by the legendary Frank Boucher.  During the seasons 1939 to 1943 the Rangers would be among the league leaders each season led by Hall of Fame wingers Bryan Hextall and Lynn Patrick on the top line with fiery Phil Watson at center.  The trio didn’t have a nickname per se but they were among the highest scoring lines of the era.

Hextall was one of the first “off-wingers” as a left shot playing the right side was the last Rangers player to lead the league in scoring with 56 points during the 1941-42 season.  Patrick would be the last Rangers player to lead the league in goal scoring that same season with 32 goals in 48 games.  Watson had his best season that same season leading the league in assists with 37.  Hextall led the league in goal scoring during the 1939-40 and 1940-41 seasons.

It was during the 1939-40 season that the Rangers would win their third Stanley Cup and their last for the next 54 seasons.  The Rangers beat the Toronto Maple Leafs in six games and the Hextall/Patrick/Watson line led the way.  Center Watson was the top scorer with nine points in 12 games.  Hextall had a hat trick in game two of the finals in a come from behind win over Toronto before scoring the overtime game and cup winning goal in game six.

Despite the line’s success, the Rangers could not get past the first round of the playoffs in subsequent years.  The trio was separated by World War II enlistment obligations and would not play again together after the 1942-43 season.

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