The New York Rangers are playing their best hockey of the year right now, although they will face a real litmus test against the red hot Boston Bruins at Madison Square Garden today.
After sweeping what looked to be a tough road trip, the New York Rangers have now won four straight, their longest win streak of the year and their longest such streak since November 2018.
In-fact, the Blueshirts have resembled almost a different team since the All-Star Break, winning seven of nine games.
As a result, the playoff dream is still very much alive and this current run may persuade the front office to keep the core together at the Trade Deadline.
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The biggest difference for this team is that they are playing with a newfound swagger and confidence, trading punches with their opponents and knowing when to land the knockout blow.
The Rangers have also developed a steely will to win that wasn’t there before and that is a sure-fire sign that this group is maturing nicely and at just the right time.
With rookie phenom Igor Shesterkin in goal, a defense that is thriving in their own zone and Chris Kreider playing arguably the best hockey of his career, the Rangers are rolling right now.
Chuck into the mix the consistent duo of Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad then you have the makings of a team that could cause some real damage down the stretch.
Whatever happens, though, the coaching staff and front office will no doubt be delighted with the strides being made by this group, which should only set them up to take another giant step forward next year.
However, the biggest test will come today in the Boston Bruins who are one of the best teams in the NHL.
They finally got the monkey off their back by beating the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday after dropping five straight games to the worst team in the NHL, while they have a dynamic game-changer in David Pastrnak.
Games between these two storied Original Six franchises are always great watches and, given the confidence level of both the Rangers and the Bruins, today’s game should be a doozy.
This Season
Today’s match-up will be the third and final game of the season series between the New York Rangers and the Boston Bruins.
The Bruins have won both games after hammering the Blueshirts 7-4 at MSG on Oct, 27, while they won 3-2 in overtime in the NHL Thanksgiving Showdown on Nov. 29.
David Pastrnak has been a real problem for the Rangers this year, recording eight points (one goal, seven assists) in two games.