New York Rangers: 6 Reasons Why They Are Stanley Cup Contenders

The New York Rangers saw their season come to an end from the hands of the Washington Capitals. Going into that series, the Rangers were for the most part written off. It took several overtimes to decide some of those games.

The series was much closer than the five games would suggest.  Lack of offensive and poor power-play execution could have been the deciding factor for the Rangers fate.

Glen Sather and the New York Rangers have been trying to buy offense through the free-agency market. Most of those players have not panned out they way they paid them to.  Wade Redden is buried in the minors, Chris Drury was bought out, and Scott Gomez was shipped off to Montreal. Marian Gaborik has shown the Rangers that he was worth the money in his first year with the club, but he could have them second-guessing things with his last year's performance. 

Over the last few seasons the New York Rangers have been written off as Stanley Cup contenders.  The Rangers have desperately tried to change that image. This year they might have finally done just that.

Special Teams

The Rangers penalty kill has been among the league's best over the last few seasons.  First pucks have to find their way through the likes of Ryan Callahan and Dan Girardi, who appear to be shot blocking specialist.  If the puck does have eyes and finds its way to the net, then it will have to beat on of the best goaltenders in the world in Henrik Lundqvist. 

What makes the penalty kill unit so special isn't the ability to kill off penalties but the abiltity to score shorthanded.  Boyle, re-signed this year after a break out season, as well as Brandon Prust and Brandon Dubinsky find ways to score on the man disadvantage.

On paper the Ranger power play looks much better.  Richards is the man the Rangers are looking to control the power play.  His vision and pin point passing should improve the sub par performance of last year.  The same performance that helped the Rangers to a first round exit from last years playoffs.

Defense

This young group of defenders have emerged last year as among the best in the NHL.  The Staal and Dan Girardi. line has been the bread and butter for the Rangers consistently shutting down opposing team's top players.

With the trade of Scott Gomez the Rangers received a gem in Ryan McDonough.  He showed great ability to play at the NHL level.  With a year of confidence under his belt look for him to improve on last years performance and see more ice time.

As many already know the Rangers are littered with good youthful depth at the defensive position.  With an average age of 27, the Rangers have some players in the minors who are eager to see some time with the big club. This gives the Rangers the luxury of trading some of their youthful defenders, to address in-season needs.

A testiment to show how good this team is defensively, is the fact that they did not lose a game all of last season, in which they had the lead start the third period. 

Brad Richards

True first line center, check. Power play quarterback, check. The New York Rangers can check off two of their needs with the acquisition of Brad Richards. Brad Richards is the top ten center the New York Rangers have been looking for. 

More know as a set up man for his passing abilities, Richards can still score 20-25 goals a season.   Brad Richards is just shy of a point a game player.  The Rangers now turn to Richard's play making abilities to help resurrect Gaborik into a 35-40 goal a season.

Richards has the opportunity to prove he was worth the $60 million contract he was given on the power play.  Last year in 72 games, Richards scored 7 goals and assisted on 22 others with the man advantage. His future line mate, Marion Gaborik, had a total of 16 power play points in 62 games.

Richards has been a leader on every team he has played for.  He could help show the young core of this team what it takes to hoist Lord Stanley's Cup.  His leadership qualities have begun to stir up some rumors pertaining to who wear the C for the Rangers in 2011-2012

The Wolfpack Line

The New York Rangers managed to lock up both Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Callahan, two of the biggest offensive contributors last year. 

This line has grit. This line is known around the league as a blue collared line, doing the dirty work.  They will score those "garbage/hardworking goals" but they have the talent to put up some highlight reel ones too. 

Ryan Callahan provides an energetic style that is contagious to the team.  Known for his shot blocking abilities, Callahan is also a force on the fore check, laying the body every chance he may get.  With his hard work, Callahan always finds himself among the positional league leaders in both those categories.  But don't let that fool you, Ryan Callahan could be a 30 plus goal scorer. 

Brandon Dubinsky bounced around on lines and was tried a first line center, but appears to play his best when he paired with Callahan.  Dubinsky will sneak to the low areas of the ice.  Whether it is behind the net or in front of the goaltender providing screens and deflections, Brandon will bury any juicy rebounds.  This type of play makes Dubinsky a player with the ability of scoring 30 or more goals. 

Artem Anisimov, drafted 54 overall in the 2006 draft, might be the most skilled of the trio.  He have the Rangers and their fans a glimpse of his capabilities last year by scoring 18 goals and setting up 26 others. Artem has been referred to as strong on the puck and with his still handling skills could be a very dangerous forward next year.

After last year's performance, the Rangers will be looking to keep the trio together, but there is speculation that this line might be broken up and one of them promoted to pair with Gaborik and Richards. 

Henrik Lundqvist

Henrik Lundqvist's play over the course of his career has earned him the title of "King Henrik". Let's face it, you can not talk about the Ranger's success without mentioning Lundqvist. He is a world class goaltender that gives his team a chance to win night in and night out. 

Lundqvist has been a top ten goalie, in all major categories, since his arrival in 2005.  He has lead the league in shutouts, twice.   His career 2.32 goals against average and .918 save percentage has been among the best since the lock out.  To say the least, Lundqvist controls the majority of the Rangers fate.  But this has been the case for sometime now.

Henrik's playoff performance has been less then impressive.  But the blame can not fall entirely on his shoulders.  When all other teams have elevated their game, the Rangers have failed to answer that call. The Rangers have relieved some of that pressure by chipping away at their needs and giving Henrik some potential goal support. 

Perseverance

The Rangers, last year, clearly did not understand the word quit.  There were several games where they were down multiple goals late in the third, and still found a way to battle back and pull out the victory. 

This determination came even when key players were sidelined with injuries. Chris Drury, their captain, missed the majority of the season with injuries, forcing others to step up and take leadership roles. Their highly paid sniper, Marion Gaborik, missed several games and had an off year statistically. Despite all that, the team gelled together and found points through some unlikely players. 

This team benefited greatly from last season.  They have fully bought into John Tortorella's philosophy and have confidence that they might be the team to beat.  The Rangers' rookies now know what it takes to play a full season and have a year's experience under their belt. 

The Rangers were hitting a wall when it came down to playoff performance, so the front office when out and signed two winners.  Brad Richards, who won the Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe in Tampa using his skill, as well as Mike Rupp. Rupp's was a more physical player for the Penguins and their quest for the Stanley Cup, but he did contribute a few key goals. 

If this team plays anything like last year, they could find themselves in the finals.