If Henrik Lundqvist continues to play like this, the Rangers' "window" isn't closing anytime soon

If Henrik Lundqvist continues to play like this, the Rangers’ “window” isn’t closing anytime soon

Chris usually gets to have all the fun with these musings posts, but my thoughts are all over the place with so many interesting developments in the first four games of the season. So here are some of my early impressions:

  • It seems like entering each year now, there’s buzz about how the upcoming season will be the Rangers’ last real chance at the Cup and the window is rapidly closing. But that’s really a bunch of baloney. The end of this run could come, and it could come suddenly – but if it does, it will only because Henrik Lundqvist has finally fallen from his perch atop the mountain of NHL goalies. Four games into this season, that doesn’t look like it’s going to happen anytime soon. Lundqvist has responded to coach Alain Vigneault’s challenge to start the year better with a sparkling stretch of unbelievable saves. Lundqvist’s reflexes look faster than ever, and if he’s actually able to continue this hot streak for the first few weeks and months when Lundqvist usually struggles, then you might as well hand him the Vezina Trophy now.
  • One of my biggest problems with trading Carl Hagelin was that I thought his speed was essential to the team’s identity. Bu this year’s version of the Blueshirts plays as frenetic as ever. There’s still speed to burn up and down the lineup and it has to be a nightmare to defend.

  • As always, Mats Zuccarello looks like he’s having a blast every time he takes the ice. It’s great to see that his scary injuries haven’t dampened his enthusiasm for the game. Zuccarello is also uncharacteristically looking to shoot the puck a lot more in the early going and it’s making him an even bigger threat. How do you stop someone with the vision and passing ability Zuc has when he’s also a threat to rip one top corner?
  • After Dylan McIlrath zinged the crossbar in the first few minutes last night, I didn’t notice him a whole lot – and that’s a good thing. Dan Boyle is catching a lot of heat and it suddenly looks like management might view him as the expendable piece, not Kevin Klein. If McIlrath can prove he really belongs, it might make things interesting. I know what the #fancystats say, but with Keith Yandle playing the role of PPQB, offensive defenseman, and chief risk-taker in his own-zone better than Boyle ever has in New York, I’d rather keep Klein if it comes to it.
  • J.T. Miller is playing easily the best hockey of his career. Oscar Lindberg owes Miller a lot of credit for his own hot start.
  • I love that Derick Brassard is a big-game player, but there’s no denying that he doesn’t always bring his A-effort. That was always the knock on Brassard, and it’s a reputation he’s worked hard to shake. Stringing strong games together led to Brassard’s best NHL season last year, but he’s not playing at that level right now. There were some signs of life in the third period last night, despite a ridiculously irresponsible slashing penalty.
  • I don’t have much problem with last night’s loss – the Blueshirts simply ran into a hot goalie. Three straight wins to start the year including a road win on opening night against the defending Cup champs and two straight over a team many thought might contend in Columbus was not too shabby.

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