New York Rangers: Ranking the 5 Key Players to a Stanley Cup Run

The New York Rangers are the second team to clinch a playoff spot and the first team in the Eastern Conference.

The Rangers currently have 97 points, three points ahead of Atlantic Division rival Pittsburgh.

With 10 games remaining on the regular season, the Rangers look like the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.

With the possibility of a deep playoff run, here is a list of the most important players on the Rangers' roster to help secure their Stanley Cup hopes.

Marian Gaborik

The New York Rangers' points leader is right winger Marian Gaborik.

Gaborik leads the team with 66 points, including 35 goals and 31 assists.  

Gaborik's 35 goals are tied for third in the league.

The right winger is second on the team in assists, one behind Brad Richards.

With a mediocre offense, Marian Gaborik will have to maintain his potent scoring ability to help the Rangers secure a Stanley Cup berth.

4. Brad Richards

Center Brad Richards has 55 points on the year.

Richards has visited the red light district 23 times thus far, and has a team high 32 assists.

Many teams rely on veteran leadership to help get their organization to develop chemistry and become playoff contenders.

Brad Richards supplies that leadership and locker room presence that is essential for winning teams.

3. Ryan Callahan

The 26 year-old Rochester, New York native and Ranger captain has 48 points on the season.

Callahan has supplied a balanced attack from the right wing netting 26 goals and 22 assists thus far.

Averaging over 20 minutes per game, Callahan has provided the Rangers with a young spark and swagger that have had the Rangers rolling all season long.

Callahan is going to be a vital part for the Rangers if they plan on making a Stanley Cup run.

2. Michael Del Zotto

Michael Del Zotto leads all Rangers' defensemen in points thus far this season.

Del Zotto has 35 points, netting seven and contributing with 28 assists, which is fourth on the team.

He averages over 22 minutes per game and has the highest plus/minus on the team with a plus-23.

Possessing one of the better defenses in the league, containing the fifth-best penalty kill percentage and the third-best goals against average, the Rangers rely heavily on Del Zotto's solid play.

The Rangers need to continue their stout defensive play in an attempt to hoist Lord Stanley's Cup.

1. Henrik Lundqvist

The New York Rangers boast one of the best goalies in the league.

Henrik Lundqvist currently stands second in the NHL with a .934 save percentage, third in the league with a 1.89 goals against average, and fifth in the league with 33 wins.

Lundqvist's save percentage and goals against average are his career bests.

The Rangers allow an average of 2.2 goals per game, which is third in the NHL.  Lundqvist has eight shutouts on the season and has been a major factor in the Rangers' success this season.

If the Rangers do win the Stanley Cup this season, Lundqvist will be the most important and valuable player on the ice.