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Why the New York Rangers are a team to be feared when play resumes

By Steve Paulus

OTTAWA, ON - OCTOBER 5: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers celebrates his first period power-play goal against the Ottawa Senators with team mates Chris Kreider #20, Artemi Panarin #10 and Jacob Trouba #8 at Canadian Tire Centre on October 5, 2019 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - OCTOBER 5: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers celebrates his first period power-play goal against the Ottawa Senators with team mates Chris Kreider #20, Artemi Panarin #10 and Jacob Trouba #8 at Canadian Tire Centre on October 5, 2019 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images) /
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Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers /

Intangibles

It’s likely that the playoff schedule will be compressed with fewer days off.  The fact that the Rangers are the youngest team in the league can only be a benefit.  This team of players barely out of their teens will recover quicker and be better equipped to play back-to-back playoff games.

As young as the team is, there is a lot of experience as well.  It’s why the Rangers signed Chris Kreider and his 77 playoff games to his seven year deal.   Marc Staal has played 104 post season games.  Jesper Fast has seen action in 39 games.  Panarin, Zibanejad and Trouba have all played in over two dozen playoff games.

Igor Shesterkin is no stranger to posteason play. Last year, in the KHL, he appeared in 10 playoff games for SKA St. Petersburg posting a 1.95 goals against average and a .904 save percentage.  That GAA was fifth best among KHL netminders who played 10 games or more.   One area of concern is that he split his playoff duties with Magnus Hellberg, so he has not endured the stress of an NHL playoff schedule.

That leads to what is perhaps the biggest question for the Rangers.  What will be the role of one of the greatest playoff performers in Rangers history.  Will Henrik Lundqvist be relegated to third string duty or will he be on the bench, ready to step in with his 128 games of playoff excellence?

We should know soon how the NHL plans to resume this season.  No matter what they come up with, there will be complaints about the format.  No matter, it will be great to see hockey again in whatever form it takes and the good news is that the Rangers are in an extremely good position when it happens.

light. Related Story. The crowd noise debate

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