Blue Line Station
Fansided

Should “The King” rule in Game One?

By Scott Esposito

SAN JOSE, CA - JANUARY 25: Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers celebrates winning the Ticketmaster NHL Save Streak during the 2019 SAP NHL All-Star Skills at SAP Center on January 25, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - JANUARY 25: Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers celebrates winning the Ticketmaster NHL Save Streak during the 2019 SAP NHL All-Star Skills at SAP Center on January 25, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Alexandar Georgiev (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Alexandar Georgiev (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Not for nothing, but …

The Rangers weren’t supposed to sniff the playoffs according to many hockey pundits last September. Remember? (Admittedly, I didn’t think they’d make them, either.)

We all (probably) believed Artemi Panarin would star on Broadway, and he did, finishing tied for third in the league in points with 95.

But who knew Mika Zibanejad would explode into the dynamic force on offense he was in scoring a career-high 41 goals, good for fourth-most in the league?

Or that Adam Fox would play even better than advertised, posting 42 points (34 assists) and defending reasonably well?

Or that Tony DeAngelo would finish tied with the third-most goals and fourth-highest point total among league defensemen?

The Rangers surprised many through 70 games this season by posting a 37-28-5 record.

They won 31 matches in regulation, five more in overtime and one in a shootout. Translated into playoff math, that’s 36 wins and 33 losses without the shootout victory (as you likely know, there are no shootouts in the postseason).

That they exceeded the expectations of most is a testament to everyone in the organization.

That they’re even in the playoffs is a bonus. As such, the Rangers are essentially playing with house money. For even if they lose in the “play-in” round, the season was a success. Anything beyond that is extra gravy.

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