The Top Ten Most Important People in Rangers' History: No. 2, Mark Messier

Well the one you've all been waiting for on the countdown has arrived. He is known simply as "The Captain" to Rangers' fans and will always be remembered for delivering the Stanley Cup to long overdue fans in 1994. He will also be known as one of the greatest leaders in Rangers' history as well as in the entire National Hockey League.

Messier first arrived at the start of the '91-'92 season with the intention of bringing the Stanley Cup to New York. Right off the bat, he would have his best season as a Ranger, leading the team with 35 goals and 72 assists for 107 points.

The Rangers then went on to win the President's trophy and were heavily favored to win the Cup. The signing had paid off...that is until the Rangers were embarrassingly defeated by the Penguins in only the second round. Fans were quick to question the trade even with the great season he had.

The next season, Messier once again led the team with 91 points, but the rest of the team struggled as they missed the playoffs.

It would all boil down to 1994, a year possibly to do or die. The team would breeze right on through the season, winning the President's trophy yet again. Messier would finish in the top three in team scoring with 84 points.

The Rangers powered past the Islanders and Capitals in the first two rounds of the playoffs, but then the tide turned.

The Rangers were down three games to one in the Conference finals against the Devils. Following a game five loss, Messier guaranteed the team would win the next game to force a Game Seven on Garden ice. As Game Six wound down and the team trailed 2-1, it seemed Messier's promise was nothing but a mirage.

But then, Messier scored the game tying goal in the third period. Just a few minutes later, he added what would be the game winning goal. He would cap off the night with an empty net goal and the series was tied.

The teams then returned back to MSG for a Game Seven, as he said they would, where the Rangers and Devils played in an exciting double overtime thriller in which the Rangers won.

As the Rangers made the finals, the team took a 3-1 series lead but quickly lost it as the Canucks tied the series at three to force another Game Seven.

With the Rangers up 2-1, and the puck loose in the crease, Jay Wells poked at the puck and it slid over the line. Messier jumped up to celebrate. He was credited with the goal even though Wells scored what would be the game winning goal. (The one thing I dislike about "Mess" is taking credit for that goal).

The Rangers would go on to win the Cup and Messier was referred to as "The Messiah". However, from there on out, things seemed to go downhill.

Although Messier's point production was good, relations with GM Neil Smith weren't. Messier did not re-sign with the team in 1997. The Rangers did not make the playoffs once without him, as Messier himself struggled in Vancouver.

When Messier returned to the team in 2000, he was well passed his prime. He still, however, managed to become the second oldest player to score 20 goals in a season. After four seasons after the age of 40 in his second stint with the team, Messier called it quits and retired.

The Rangers would then retire his No. 11 to the Garden rafters in one of the loudest nights ever at MSG. Shortly after that he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. He sits second, behind only Wayne Gretzky, on the all-time NHL scoring list.

Messier played in 698 games as a Ranger, tallying 250 goals and 441 assists for  a total of 691 points. Another stat which stands out to me is his shorthanded goal totals, which Messier scored 23.

Now I know what you're thinking, if Messier is only number two, then who the heck is number one? Only one way to find out, stay tuned for tomorrow's article, the final in the series.