The New York Rangers Have Found a First Line

(Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

The season is still very early, but it looks like the Rangers have found themselves a legitimate first line.

Marian Gaborik, Brandon Dubinsky, and Vinny Prospal fit together like other great trios of the past—the Marx Brothers, the Three Stooges, the Mod Squad, Richie, Ralph and Potsie, Cream and, of course, Charlie’s Angels (well, maybe not them—or any of the others come to think of it).

Gaborik is the first top-talent game-changer the Rangers have had since the days of Jaromir Jagr (seems like a long time ago now, doesn’t it?). But Jagr was finicky and quirky, and had trouble fitting with other linemates (except Michael Nylander).

Gaborik, Dubinsky, and Prospal have clicked since game one. And they’re producing on a nightly basis.

Gaborik is all he was cracked up to be (I’m crossing my fingers that he doesn’t get injured as I write this), netting five goals to go along with four assists in six games. He has a point in every game, and goals in four of them. Prospal has a point in the team’s last five games, and is standing at a goal and six assists so far. Dubinsky has six points in six games (two goals, four assists).

With scoring coming from up and down the roster—Ales Kotalik, Sean Avery, Dan Girardi, Michael Del Zotto—there’s no need to break this line up and spread them across two or three lines. They’re dangerous every time they step on the ice.

Gaborik is a matchup nightmare for the opposition's coach, Prospal’s the smooth playmaker, and Dubi does the dirty work. And they’re not a liability on the defensive side, as Gaborik is plus-7, Dubinsky plus-7, and Prospal plus-5.

Now, all they need is a name.

There was the old French Connection line, the Kraut line, the Legion of Doom and, of course, the Rangers’ own GAG line.

How about the BMV line (first name initials)? Nah, too much like DMV, and whenever they’re on the ice, people will associate them with standing in line while getting frustrated and angry.

Two Czechs and a Yank? Two Czechs and a Mate? Nope, too sitcom-y.

The Duborikal line? Sounds cool and sinister, but it also seems like it could be a medicine you’d take for fibromyalgia.

The New and Improved GAG line? Too long.

Brandon, Vaclav, and Marian? Too much like Peter, Paul and Mary.

Any ideas? Comment below, and whoever comes up with the best name will win a case of Duborikal.

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