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New York Rangers: Who you should root for in the playoffs

By Steve Paulus

TAMPA, FL - MARCH 10: Tampa Bay Lightning defender Dan Girardi (5) and Tampa Bay Lightning defender Ryan McDonagh (27) stand for the National Anthem prior to the first period of an NHL game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 10, 2018, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - MARCH 10: Tampa Bay Lightning defender Dan Girardi (5) and Tampa Bay Lightning defender Ryan McDonagh (27) stand for the National Anthem prior to the first period of an NHL game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 10, 2018, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 08: Mats Zuccarello #36 of the New York Rangers skates against the Carolina Hurricanes at Madison Square Garden on February 8, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 08: Mats Zuccarello #36 of the New York Rangers skates against the Carolina Hurricanes at Madison Square Garden on February 8, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars will be on many Ranger fans rooting list for two reasons.  One is the second round conditional draft pick that becomes a first if they make the Conference Finals.  The other is simply Mats Zuccarello.

Zuccarello returned from his broken arm to play in one game (he got an assist), but was held out of the Stars’ last two games a precaution.  He should be ready to go in their first game against Nashville on Wednesday.

Winnipeg Jets

Kevin Hayes is the only former Ranger playing for the Jets and was a Ranger fan favorite.  He finished the season with five goals and 12 points in 20 games for Winnipeg.  His playoff experience will be valuable for the Jets who will be playing the hottest team in hockey, the St. Louis Blues.

Off the ice, the assistant director of player personnel is former Ranger Mike Keane who played one season for the Rangers and is best remembered for concussing teammate Pat LaFontaine in a practice, a concussion that ended his career.

A couple Jets scouts have Ranger connections. Jack Birch was an assistant Rangers coach in the eighties and Jari Gronstrand was a Ranger defenseman for one season in 1987-88.

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