Big Nik Antropov: New York Rangers' Other New Fan Favorite

Big Nik Antropov has scored a goal in each of his last three games with the New York Rangers including a shootout goal last night in the Rangers' 4-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens and a game-winner against the Philadelphia Flyers.

The 6'6" forward's arrival has been upstaged by the return of Sean Avery, but they have both become fan favorites quickly in New York City.

Antropov left the Toronto Maple Leafs to join the New York Rangers after being traded at the NHL trading deadline. The trade took him from a team looking ahead to next season to a club that has been energized after hiring coach John Tortorella, adding Derek Morris, bringing back Sean Avery, and changing their game plan.

The big man was put on the Rangers’ top line with Chris Drury and Markus Naslund right away. He scored the game winner a few days ago in the team’s 4-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.

Antropov says he is not slagging the Toronto Maple Leafs, but he admits noticing a difference between his former team and the New York Rangers. Not only are the Rangers making an exciting stretch run leading to the playoffs, but their locker room is better, and that's with Sean Avery.

In seven games with the Blueshirts, Toronto's first round draft pick has four goals and two assists.

In 70 games with the Leafs and Rangers so far this year, he has 25 goals and 27 assists for 52 points.

Antropov is the Rangers’ top scorer with 25 goals, five ahead of Nikolai Zherdev with 20. He is also the team’s top points-getter with 52, tied with Scott Gomez.

After almost a decade with the Leafs playing under the shadow of Mats Sundin, it looks like Antropov is ready to break out with the Rangers. There is no doubt he will top his career highs of 26 goals and 56 points, attained last season with the Leafs.

The Leafs had different coaches and different systems while Antropov was there.

Rangers head coach John Tortorella has the Rangers playing a more aggressive forecheck style of hockey. Toronto played a 1-2-2 system but the Rangers use a 2-1-2.

Antropov fills a sizeable need for the Rangers' stretch run. He has not gone unnoticed by other teams.

He becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1.