The New York Rangers' 5 Best Goals so Far in 2013-14

The New York Rangers have a ton of skilled players.

As a result, there have been a number of pretty goals.

Is it possible, then, to narrow it down to the five best?

We've scoured the archives to find the five best goals of the 2013-14 season thus far. The best goals combine high-end skill, either in the form of a terrific pass, deke or move, or exhibit a fantastic shot. The best, ideally, feature all.

Read on to find out which goals made the list.  

Honorable Mention: Mats Zuccarello's One-Timer

This goal is good, but not quite good enough to make the five.

Why not? Although Zuccarello absolutely slams the puck home on a feed from Brad Richards, it's nothing out of the ordinary.

It displays great puck movement on the power play, and it's nice to see the players moving their bodies around the ice—something that's much more noticeable this year—but this is ultimately what power plays should look like.

It's executed perfectly. That's what makes it good.

In order for it be considered great, there needs to be something a bit more flashy.

The next five goals are definitely flashy. 

5. Derick Brassard's Game-Winner

Before this win over Detroit, the Rangers had been struggling. Entering this game, they had won just two of their first eight games.

After this win, the Rangers won three of their next four, and six of their next eight. They've turned into a potential playoff team.

On this play, Benoit Pouliot uses his size and speed to win a foot race in the neutral zone. Diving, he sends it to Brassard, who then beats Jimmy Howard through the five-hole.

Both Brassard and Pouliot have been inconsistent this year, but this was a pretty play. It may have been the kick in the pants this team needed to get going. In addition to looking nice, it's probably the biggest goal of the Rangers' season.  

4. Ryan Callahan's Charge to the Net

Ryan Callahan is at his best when he goes to the net.

That's exactly what he does here.

After passing it to Brassard, Callahan charges to the net. Brad Richards, who receives the ensuing pass from Brassard, sends it back toward Callahan as he bears down on goal.

The 28-year-old knocks it out of the air, flips his hands and bats it in backhanded.

The captain simply beat John Carlson to the net—it's all about effort. The nifty skill to re-direct the puck is nice, too.

3. Derek Dorsett's Breakaway

In an otherwise awful game for the Rangers, this goal by Derek Dorsett was a necessary bright spot.

Brian Boyle re-directs a pass at center ice and finds Dorsett streaking down the wing.

Dorsett then fakes a forehand and takes it backhanded, freezing Antti Niemi. 

The rugged winger is not known for his goal-scoring prowess, but he shows nifty hands here. He's been used more as a penalty killer of late, and those moves could help score a shorthanded goal.   

2. Derek Stepan's Rocket

Mats Zuccarello gets the puck at the blue line. With time winding down in the period, he could have easily just dumped it in the zone. 

Instead, he sees Derek Stepan flying down the ice and sends an absolutely perfect saucer pass his way.

Stepan wins the race to the puck and then absolutely fires it over Marc-Andre Fleury. 

It's an amazing display of creativity by Zuccarello. If the Norwegian winger was 6'1", he may very well be the best player in the league. Gravity had other ideas.

In any case, he was able to connect on that perfect pass and Stepan did the rest. It was a perfect shot, taking into account what the goalie was offering.

A lot of skill was involved on this play, and it's easy to see why the trio of Stepan, Zuccarello and Chris Kreider has been so successful this year.  

1. J.T. Miller's Sweet Finish

Everything about this goal is so sweet.

J.T. Miller steals the puck in the neutral zone before dropping it off to Ryan McDonagh.

McDonagh then makes an absolutely dazzling move to get around the defender. There are few defensemen who can make that move.

Chris Kreider receives the puck from McDonagh and slides it over to Miller, who finishes it top-shelf.

That's just a pretty goal.

It involves a tremendous amount of skill, especially by McDonagh, and it's a perfect example of tic-tac-toe passing.

This is not just the best goal of the Rangers' season. It may be one of the best goals in the entire NHL.