Rangers Recap: Tying the franchise record in wins

With their win over Montreal last night, the Rangers have tied the 2014-2015 Presidents Trophy team with the most wins (53) in franchise history. Though not what the players ultimately play for, it is an accomplishment for a fun team to watch this season.

The Rangers battled hard from puck drop to final buzzer. After surrendering the opening goal, the Blueshirts never looked back, scoring 4 of their 5 goals in the third period. In what has been a year for player milestones, we continue with even more from the Rangers core.

Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad both moved into sole possessions of their respective spots in all time powerplay goal leaders in franchise history. Kreider with a typical Kreider redirect in front got his 109th powerplay goal, passing Rod Gilbert for 2nd all time. Zibanejad got his 101st, passing Adam Graves for 5th.

It’s going to be very on-brand that these two will likely go down as the best power play producers in franchise history. The bromance on and off the ice plays into this as well. Appreciate the greatness while we have it, and never forget those Alain Vigneault powerplays.

How about Artemi Panarin with yet another 4 point night? He’s done a complete 180 this season, and has been an absolutely dominant player under Peter Laviolette. With 46 goals, 69 assists, and 115 points, this is the Panarin we were robbed of in 2020 from the pandemic.

Panarin looks consistently dangerous and he has anchored the Rangers top scoring line. When the Rangers need a goal, it’s Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, and Alexis Lafreniere they turn to. No longer a one-line scoring team since the trade deadline, it’s given this trio more room to maneuver, and they’ve reaped the rewards.

A huge congrats to Vincent Trocheck as well, this year’s recipient for the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award. Penciled in as the 3C to start the season, Trocheck has taken off, tying his career highs in points and setting a new career high in assists.

The Trocheck and Panarin duo looks exceptionally dangerous this year with the addition of a coach who understands roles, deployment, and usage. The continued development of Lafrenière into a legitimate top six winger is a major factor as well. Perhaps timing is everything, but remember this trio could have been a thing last season too.

Laviolette trusts this team to be able to execute, and this team to this point has delivered on that. With four games remaining, a new franchise record in wins, the President’s Trophy, and perhaps a new single season scoring record are all within reach.