Photo: AP

Photo: AP

It’s a good day to be a Rangers fan. Two wins on the bounce, two four goal games produced by the Rangers and suddenly a goaltender who was boasting about a lack of challenge has started to look rattled. Let’s get into the musings

I don’t care who you are – the 80’s Oilers aside – no player or team should ever provide motivation for the opposition. Holtby’s comments and Ovechkin’s comments have both being countered by improved play on the ice by the Rangers. Adam Oates cannot be happy with the way the series has begun to swing.

Obvious thought of the day: Derek Stepan is going to be a very rich hockey player sooner rather than later.

Is Stepan the first of the home grown kids – talking ‘tweener contracts – where Sather really doesn’t have the same power as he usually has in regard to controlling costs? With Richards clearly in decline (despite the occasional production recently, Stepan is an absolutely critical Ranger long term given the way he is developing.

Derek Stepan has four game winners in his last nine goals. Please remember this young man is just twenty two.

I agree with many that Rick Nash needs to be better. However, this is why you have depth. The playoffs are traditionally where teams try to put the squeeze on the star players and this is where you need a goal from Asham here, a goal from Boyle there and a few assists from your Zuccarello’s in between. When that secondary support becomes more consistent players such as Nash get more freedom. That’s when he’ll be expected to produce, no excuses.

Why do the Rangers blueliners slide so much? Sometimes it works, often it doesn’t. Without being critical I’d love to hear Tortorella publicly explain the tactic.

With every passing game, Glen Sather keeps looking better for the Gaborik trade doesn’t he? Moore is growing by the game and Brassard is playing up to his talent level. Derek Dorsett is helping the team return to the black and blue approach of last year.

It will be interesting to see how Zuccarello’s future plays out over the summer. He’s playing well and deserves to stay but I cannot help feeling his future is linked to the team’s immediate (by immediate, I mean next season) intentions with Miller and Kreider. Something has gotta give; there’s only so many roster spots.

Taylor Pyatt is helping the Rangers out. He’s playing better, producing offensively (somewhat) and adding some trade value. Can’t see how he stays a Ranger beyond this year but he could definitely help a team out the way he’s playing lately.

A few more games like game four and Ryan Clowe will be a Ranger beyond this season. What he brings to the Rangers – consistently – isn’t common enough on this roster. He’s physical and makes an impact whether he plays 12 or 20 minutes.

Here’s hoping Marc Staal gets back for game five because the Rangers cannot win a game in DC without more puck possession and having a short bench. They need more minutes from other guys and Staal gives them so much more.

Question Time:

  • Who will lead the team in goals in the playoffs?
  • Who is the biggest disappointment after four games?
  • Who is the biggest surprise after four games?
  • In the event of a call-up who would your next in line be?
  • What is the biggest issue heading into game five?

 

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