Breaking Down Rick Nash's Impact on the New York Rangers

Rick Nash has overcome a slow start to the season and is finally performing the way the Rangers expected him to when they signed him.

The five-time All-Star was dealt to the Rangers before the season to add some spark to the offense, and so far it’s been a success.

Nash currently leads the team in goals, assists and points with nine, 14 and 23 respectively.

Here’s a month-by-month breakdown of Rick Nash’s season so far.

January

Just like the Rangers, Nash had a slow start to the season.

Nash’s difficulties in January can most likely be attributed to the lockout, as he didn’t get a chance to practice with his teammates for months.

Nash only scored one goal in all of his seven games during this month. It came in a 3-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. On the other hand, Nash led the team in assists with five, which brought his points total up to six.

It was not the start that Nash had in mind, but better things were in store in the coming months.

February

In February, Nash’s numbers started to improve and so did the Rangers’ record.

After finishing January with a 3-4-0 record, New York went 6-2-2 in February and climbed back into playoff contention.

Nash had three goals and five assists in eight games, but what truly highlighted his importance to the Rangers was how frail they were whenever he wasn’t on the ice.

New York had won four out of their last five before they were set to play the Montreal Canadiens twice, the Ottawa Senators and the Winnipeg Jets.

Nash ended up not playing any of those games and the Rangers went on a four-game losing-streak.

However, as soon as he came back, New York would go on a four-game winning-streak that would take them into March.

March

Nash’s numbers in March have been nothing short of spectacular.

In five games, he has five goals, four assists and a plus-four rating.

The only time he has put up less than one point this month was in the loss against the Senators.

In all the other games he has at least two points.

Nash’s performance in March has been among the best in the league.

He is tied for fourth in the league in goals and tied for sixth in points.

Overall Grade: A-

I give Nash a grade of A- for the way he’s played this season.

He gets some points off for his slow start in January, but if he keeps performing the way he’s doing right now he’s going to be a solid A.

Nevertheless, his impact on the Rangers can’t be understated.

As I already said, he leads the team in points, assists and goals. Additionally, he has a plus-13 rating. No other player is in double digits.

However, if you had to describe Nash’s importance to the Rangers with just one sentence, it would be that the team literally can’t win without him.

Nash has been on the ice for every single Rangers victory, and New York has not won a single game when he’s out.

That’s all you need to know about Nash.