What an amazing month to be a New York Rangers Fan. First of all, NYR went 10-1 for the Month of February. Are You Kidding Me? Nope. And second, the Blueshirts put together a 10-game winning streak to boot. This 10-game consecutive win streak ties a New York Ranger Franchise Record with the 1939-1940 Stanley Cup Champion Rangers, as well as the 1972-1973 New York squad. Wow, impressive stuff for sure.
There are many things that go into the making of a Stanley Cup Contender, let along a 10-game winning streak. Skill, Schedule, Streaks, and Stress, to name a few. Winning 3 games in overtime certainly helps along the way. However, it was in the Middle of the Month, in the Middle of the Streak, in the Middle of the Stadium Series game against the Islanders, which told me so much about the make up of these New York Rangers.
5 Things We Learned about NYR
1. It is really hard to Play with Intensity for a Full 60 Minutes in Every Game of an 82-game schedule.
The Ranges came into this game riding a 6-game win streak. Nicely in First Place, feeling good about themselves as well as their game, the Blueshirts took their foot off the gas pedal for the first half of this match.
The Islanders, meanwhile, watching their Playoff hopes fade with each loss, were still looking for inspiration from the Patrick Roy “Coaches Bump.” NYI came motivated to play, hence the 4-1 Islander lead early in the second period. However, NHL games are a full 60 Minutes, and it usually matters more so, how you finish. And this game was far from finished.
2. An Effective Power Play can really help you win games.
The New York Rangers have relied heavily on their Power Play throughout this season. Ranking 6th overall in the NHL, the Rangers Power Play has been a factor in 24 of their 40 wins to date. Entering into this match against the Islanders, the slumping 1 for 22 NYR Power Play was asked to produce. With the Rangers Down 4-1, the Power Play finally converted with a goal from Trocheck. The Blueshirts Power Play ended up going 3 for 5, tying the game late in the third period, saving the day, and allowing the Rangers to fight for more points in OT.
Trending Article: NYR Power Play Makes Me Wanna GAG
3. Penalties and Puck Luck always Play a Part in Picking up Points.
You just don’t know how a game will play out. So you always must be thinking that you are never really out of it. The Islanders had the game very much under control with a 4-1 lead. However, with plenty of time left on the clock, and the Isles prone to letting their opposition back into games, it was time to “Cue the NYR Comeback.”
NYI got themselves into penalty trouble in the third period, so the Rangers took advantage and made them pay for it. Of course, in OT, the Red-Hot Panarin picked off a pass, got a little Puck-Luck bounce from the Hockey Gods and Bingo-Bango-Bongo, the Game was Over. The Rangers got the Dub, (#7 in-a-row), and it was time to head home with all the points.
4. Bold Coaching Moves will put players in a position to win games.
Fact: it is the Players who win or lose games.
Reality: it is the Coach who puts the players on the ice, at the right time, which will determine the outcome of the game. It is the Coach who puts the players in a position to succeed.
Down 5-3, with 5 minutes left in the game, and the Rangers on a Power Play, Head Coach Laviolette, pulls his Goalie for an extra attacker. With a 6 on 4 Power Play, the Rangers easily get to lose pucks, keeping play inside the Islanders zone, until they score on a Kreider tip in.
Can you say Instant Momentum Change? Yup. Now, down by one, with 4 minutes left to play, and the Rangers still on the Power Play, Coach Laviolette again pulls his goalie for another 6 on 4 Power Play attack. The NYR Power Play scores again, to tie it up late in the game. Wow. Bold, Exciting stuff.
5. No Quit in New York.
When these guys are motivated and want to win, they can. Period. You can see the New York Ranger players really like each other and are willing to put it all on the line for one another. They are a close group who rarely mail it in and appear to be committed to bring home the Coolest Trophy in All of Sports. They had plenty of opportunities in the Islander game to quit, but never did. They walk the talk and that is why I love watching this team play.
Trending Article: NYR Captain Trouba Brings the Buzz
New York Rangers Record as of February 29.2024
40-17-3 = 83 pts
1st - in the Metropolitan Division
1st - in Eastern Conference
1st – Tied - Overall in NHL
My View from the Cheap Seats
Section: TV Row: PVR Seat: The Couch
Who would have predicted the Rangers winning 10-in-a-row this season? Raise your hand. Nope, not me. I suppose this is why you play the games right, because you just never know how any game will actually play out...Over the 60 minutes.
On that note, most people think the Head Coach is simply a cheerleader-figure head, who is there to change the lines.
Real Coaches know and understand the game.
Real Coaches know who the weak link is on the opposition and how to take advantage of that via player mismatches.
Real Coaches know the opposition team trends and how to take advantage of those weaknesses.
Real Coaches are not afraid of making Bold Moves, hold themselves accountable for those moves, yet stand behind those moves.
Remember Hockey is a game of Mistakes and Mismatches…Be Bold. No Quit New York.
Quote of the Day:
“One of the basic rules of the universe is that nothing is perfect.”
Stephen Hawking - Physicist
For more Marc Penner - Blue Line Station Articles - Click Here