Blue Line Station
Fansided

Three keys to taking down the Canes in Game 1

By Andrew Steele-Davis

Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers takes the puck in the third period against the New York Islanders during an exhibition game. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images)
Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers takes the puck in the third period against the New York Islanders during an exhibition game. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images) /
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Ross Johnston #32 of the New York Islanders and Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers collide in the first period during an exhibition game.
Ross Johnston #32 of the New York Islanders and Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers collide in the first period during an exhibition game. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images) /

Key 2. Quality over quantity

While the New York Rangers are back playing real meaningful hockey games, they are still in the midst of a rebuild.

As such, the roster now will look very different in a couple of years and it hasn’t quite got the depth needed for sustained success.

Compare that to the Carolina Hurricanes who boast an abundance of riches throughout the roster, including a loaded blueline and a talented and deep forward corps that feature the likes of Andrei Svechnikov, Sebastian Aho, Vincent Trocheck, Justin Williams and Jordan Staal.

But, as deep as the Canes are, the Rangers have some high-end pieces including a Hart Trophy finalist in Artemi Panarin, who took the Big Apple by storm in his debut year with the Blueshirts.

Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes is congratulated after he got the assist on a goal by teammate Teuvo Teravainen in the third period against the Washington Capitals.
Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes is congratulated after he got the assist on a goal by teammate Teuvo Teravainen in the third period against the Washington Capitals. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images) /

The Russian superstar recorded 32 goals and 63 assists for 95 points in 69 games during the regular season, and he will drive the Rangers forward throughout this series.

So too will Mika Zibanejad who has really morphed into an elite center for the Blueshirts, and he appears to be the next Captain in waiting too.

Chris Kreider, who is now fully healthy after recovering from a fractured foot, was on a hot streak heading into the NHL Trade Deadline and if he can rediscover that magic formula then that will only further aid the Rangers’ cause.

Granted, Tony DeAngelo’s possible absence for Game 1 could pose a problem but both Adam Fox and Jacob Trouba should be able to make up for that offensive loss, particularly the former.

While Carolina can call upon an array of players to wreak havoc, the Rangers have the kind of weapons that can cause mass destruction in a Best-of-Five series and that could prove the difference.

If the big hitters in the ilk of Panarin, Zibanejad, Kreider and Trouba can get hot in Game 1 then it may not matter that the Hurricanes have the better depth.

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