After 35 games of the 2008-2009 regular season, the New York Rangers sit atop the Atlantic Division, and are 2nd in the Eastern Conference standings.

However are the Rangers really this good? Is Wade Redden really this bad? Is Henrik Lundqvist still a candidate for the Vezina Trophy, let alone the All-Star team? These questions will be answered as the first 35 Ranger games are put under the microscope, and it is determined whether the numbers that are on the stat sheet are the true representation of the actual play.

 

1. New York Rangers: 22-11-2, 46 pts.

Numbers: Lie

The Rangers have been the beneficiaries in the first half of the season. Eight of their 22 wins have come after the extra session this season, and that's only the beginning. The team has been inconsistent, playing some of their best games against the best teams in the league, and playing some of their worst games against the worst teams in the league. Also, while they are second in the Conference, teams that aren't far behind have plenty of games in hand on the Rangers.

 

2. Henrik Lundqvist: 18-9-2, 2.49 GAA, .914 SV%

Numbers: Lie

It is impossible that Lundqvist's stellar play only warrants 19th in the league in goals against and 17th in save percentage. Lundqvist, unfortunately has been the victim of poor Rangers defense, and a couple of bad games (Vancouver, Montreal, New Jersey). For example, if you don't add Lundqvist's stats from the most recent Rangers-Devils game, his save percentage is .920, ranking him 10th in the league, and his goals against is 2.29, ranking him seventh.

 

3. Wade Redden: 2 G, 13 A, 15 PTS, -4 +/-

Numbers: Don't Lie

The Rangers signing of Redden has done nothing but hurt them. Besides the fact that Redden has struggled so far in New York, his six year/$39 million contract has handicapped the financially (ex: possibly signing Mats Sundin). Redden hasn't scored since October 10th, and his play would be average at best for possibly a fourth or fifth defenseman, let alone a top two defenseman.

 

4. Nikolai Zherdev: 11 G, 20 A, 31 PTS, 4 +/-

Numbers: Don't Lie 

The only thing that Zherdev hasn't done since joining the Rangers is having the negative attitude that drove Columbus to trade the former first round draft pick. Zherdev has dazzled the Garden with his clutch goal scoring, his swift moves, and exceptional speed. The Rangers can look to rely on Zherdev as the season goes on.

 

5. Markus Naslund: 12 G, 13 A, 25 PTS, -7 +/-

Numbers: Don't Lie

While Zherdev has been the offensive dynamo for the Rangers, it is Naslund's steady play that has him leading the team in goals. On a team that has made it clear its primary focus in defense, the 35-year-old Swede is on pace to record 25 goals, and has seemed to find his scoring touch again playing on a line with Zherdev and Scott Gomez.