New Life on Broadway

After the 7-2 shellacking of the Toronto Maple Leafs last night and utter dominance over the Mighty Ducks on Sunday; most of us our wondering to ourselves are these really the NY Rangers… our Rangers??

The Rangers are now 5-1 which exactly matches last season’s red hot October so far. Of course last season the best October in franchise history slowly morphed into an atrocious November through March. So what are the differences from this season to last? How do we know that this team will not eventually cool off and slip back into the mediocrity that we all know oh so well?

The main difference so far from this season to last year’s is the offense. This is not a team that sits back and waits for the opposing team to make mistakes. This Rangers team thus far is a team that makes their own opportunities, constantly forechecking, constantly hitting and constantly attacking the net.

John Tortorella will accept nothing less. The Rangers received another verbal outburst from the coach last night after letting their play slip in the 2nd period. Once again they responded, this time with 4 unanswered goals in the third period.

The second main difference is that this team now has guys that can finish. The Rangers newly outfitted first line of Gaborik, Dubinsky and Prospal have now combined for a total of 22 points in just 6 games. Gaborik has tallied 9 points, Dubinsky  has 6 points and Prospal has been nothing but solid back under the glare of Tortorella with 7 points.

The scoring doesn’t end there, the Rangers have enjoyed scoring from all their lines as Ales Kotalik has 5 points and he’s now playing on the 4th line since Avery’s return . And, of course the “Grate One” himself, Sean Avery has slotted 3 points in the two games he has played including the two goals he netted last night.

Another difference between the 2009-10 NY Rangers is that the defense is pitching in offensively, 19 year old Michael Del Zotto is leading the blue liners with 5 points, Daniel Girardi had two goals last night giving him 4 points and Wade Redden finally got involved scoring his 3 points last night.

The main stat difference from this season from last season is the goal differential. Last season the Rangers had 17 goals for and 11 against. This season they have 24 goals for and 12 against. This team has already shown chemistry with each other that it took all season to develop last season. Hell, this team even has scored 7 power play goals so far!

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But before we get too ahead of ourselves let’s remember the season is a marathon not a sprint, I remember saying that last year too, ugh. This team must stay healthy and not let themselves get run down playing their aggressive style. I don’t think there is Ranger fan anywhere that isn’t holding their breath every single time Gaborik takes some abuse along the boards.

So far Marian Gaborik has been everything as advertised. He’s opening the ice for his teammates and is a valid threat each and every shift he plays. Toronto GM Brian Burke lamented last night that Gaborik is one of the few players in the league that makes him nervous every single time he has the puck. Burke’s nervousness is quite warranted, Gaborik was responsible for last week’s win over the Capitals with back to back goals to tie and win the game.

The Rangers will attempt to continue their 5 game winning streak on Wednesday against the Kings at the Garden.

~Scott Gallof
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