St Louis’ return to form critical to Rangers

The Rangers need help in almost every department right now, given the patchwork team that’s being cobbled together because of all the injuries (and suspension) the team has endured. Although the Rangers lost to St Louis Blues – a game they should have won – that game suggested Marty St Louis’ return to his usual right wing position was the tonic his game needed.

St Louis is absolutely critical to the Rangers. He is an elite playmaker, goal scorer and when he is on form, gives the Rangers the potential to stretch opposition defenses when you consider the presence of Chris Kreider but above all Rick Nash. Teams cannot game plan for just one wing elite winger, but three. Teams cannot focus on one player as we saw when he snuck away for his first goal against the Blues.

St Louis has a meagre four goals in thirty regular season games as a Ranger but while his difficulties last year were well documented this year he has played well in patches but suffered through the much discussed positional switch to begin the year. It has taken all of one game back at his usual right wing spot and St Louis has looked a different player. He was busy around the net, he was back scoring goals and he was buzzing all over the ice like he has become accustomed for.

In the short term the Rangers will need to outscore teams while their shorthanded defense adjusts and while guys such as Derek Stepan and Dan Boyle work they way back. With the powerplay struggling and with the team hovering around the .500 mark the Rangers need their veteran leaders to step up. Along with Nash and Henrik Lundqvist, St Louis’ is arguably the most critical Ranger – with Ryan McDonagh also absent – so his return to form is needed. His veteran leadership is already unquestioned.

The Rangers brought in St Louis to try and be the difference between a playoff contender and a Stanley Cup winner but right now, his return to form is needed just to help steady the ship. With his return to the right wing, St Louis has lost the excuse of playing in an unfamiliar position so goals will be expected, starting tonight.

Nash may be the Rangers best goal scorer but St Louis is arguably the Rangers most talented forward and he needs to play like it. His performance against the Blues was a step in the right direction.