The Kids Are Alright
Don’t look now, but those Blueshirts on Broadway are streaking. The Rangers are 11-4-5 in their last 20 games, and have surged into within a point of the 6th spot in the Eastern Conference. Maybe, just maybe, there may be reason to believe after all.
No Rangers fan on the planet will tell you that the way last season ended didn’t rip their heart out. Yes, the Rangers did make the playoffs for the first time since 1997-98, and yes, the Rangers did far exceed expectations by leaps and bounds. However, losing 9 straight games to end the season, including a 4-game sweep at the hands of the rival Devils left a bad taste in our collective mouth. For such a magical season to end the way it did, it just left us wanting more.
I was at Game 2 against New Jersey. I was seated 2 rows behind God, but I was there. I was there to see Jaromir Jagr not play and to see Sandis Ozolinsh put the puck in his own net. The end to last season broke my spirit unlike any season in recent memory, but I was optimistic about this season.
This year’s Rangers were supposed to be better than last year’s juggernauts that lost steam at the end, but you wouldn’t have known that the way the 1st half of this season started. Jaromir Jagr’s scoring touch seemed to have disappeared, they became very streaky including a 7-game losing streak. Following bad losses to Philadelphia and Columbus at home, Rangers fans really felt that last year may have been an aberration. Maybe they just weren’t that good after all.
I wake up today with a new sense of optimism and pride in my New York Rangers. I watched them play with heart last night against a season-long nemesis and I saw them come out on top. It wasn’t Brendan Shanahan that appeared to be the pep in this team’s step the last two games (both wins). It was Ryan Callahan.
Ryan Callahan, from what I have seen from him, and it’s admittedly not much, looks like a kid with a very bright future in this league. Under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, he is playing the way Rangers fans have wanted this team to play for years. He is reckless. He will run the net whenever possible. To quote Jaromir Jagr, “He has no fear.”
I saw him get in a tussle with a few Penguins after a whistle last night and just start jawing with them. I tried my best to read his lips thanks to the camera being zoomed in on him, and I think I saw him say. “I don’t care. I’ll take you down right now.” His 2nd game in the NHL, playing under the spotlight of New York City, and he looked right at home.
It’s not just Callahan. Brandon Dubinsky played well when given an opportunity. Daniel Girardi and Thomas Pock have solidified spots on the blue line. Marc Staal will be a Ranger next season. The youth movement is definitely underway in New York and this Rangers fan cannot be happier.
These young guys are injecting new blood into this team, and are injecting hope into the hearts of Rangers fans that wrote this team off for dead not too long ago. This team didn’t appear to have it, and now, they just might.
Their 15 points in their last 10 games trails only Atlanta for more points in the same amount of time. Lundqvist has a 1.86 GAA and .933 save percentage since Christmas. He has allowed 2 or fewer goals in 25 games, 15 of which he has allowed 1 or none.
The way this team is playing right now, I don’t think any of the top teams would pick the Rangers as their 1st round opponent. Most observers had this team in the Top 3 this season, and it took them until March, but they are finally playing up to those expectations. The team is playing very well defensively and the goaltending has been great. Despite injuries to key players like Shanahan, Straka, Hossa, Tyutin, and Rachunek, this team is playing their best hockey of the season. With Shanahan scheduled to come back Wednesday against the Flyers (I will be in attendance), this team is hitting its stride and getting players back from injury at the right time to do some damage in this Eastern Conference.
The way last season ended is the opposite from the way this one appears to be. 11-4-5 in their last 20 is something last year’s Rangers could not say going into the end of March. This team might just have what it takes. They may be out in the 1st round, who knows? But I’d bet they won’t be swept this time, and it wouldn’t shock me to see them win a round.
Mikster had doubts in this team, and the doubts were very well placed. I respect Mikster’s hockey opinion in the highest regard, but I wonder if his pessimism was a product of last season’s demise. Something about this group of guys, I can’t figure out what it is, but they have it. The young guys are being worked into a veteran top-heavy lineup and it’s working.
I’m excited right now, as every Rangers fan should be. With the players we have and the players we will soon have, we may be on the brink of the Golden Age of Rangers hockey in the next few years.
Some stats taken from Larry Brooks of the NY Post
http://www.nypost.com/seven/03202007/sports/rangers/seventh_heaven_rangers_larry_brooks.htm