Comeback Kids

Just two weeks ago, the New York Rangers were without Ryan Callahan, Carl Hagelin, Rick Nash, and Henrik Lundqvist as we know him. They were 3-7-0, a team without an identity, devoid of offense, defense, confidence, and were 26th in ESPN’s weekly Power Rankings.

Their season looked lost. Alain Vigneault’s new system didn’t seem to fit New York’s roster and the injuries were piling up faster than AV and Co. could call their doctors.

Fast forward 13 days, and you have a squad in the playoff picture having just reeled off six wins in their last seven games. With Cally, Hagelin and Lundqvist all back and playing at high levels, the Blueshirts seem ready to turn their season around.

Now, before I start singing the Rangers’ praises, this is not a team without holes. They rank 24th in the league in goals per game, and their special teams stats are only middle of the pack. But what do you expect when you are outscored by 19 goals in your first eight games?

The Rangers’ turnaround hasn’t been about team stats, but about individuals playing at higher levels. Lundqvist, Chris Kreider, Derek Stepan, and Ryan McDonagh have all improved their play during these last seven contests. The latter three have combined for 22 points and a plus/minus rating of +11 over that span while Lundqvist has accumulated a .948 save percentage and a 1.40 goals against average. Their play along with Callahan and the resurgent Brad Richards will have to stay at its current high level.

With superstar Rick Nash out of the lineup for the foreseeable future, offense will be hard to come by for the Rangers. Nash suffered a concussion on October 8th against the San Jose Sharks and hasn’t returned since. He has begun skating again, which is good news for the Blueshirts Faithful, but nobody is certain as to when he will come back.

Now that the Blueshirts have conquered an easy portion of their schedule, it’s time to see what they’re made of. Road tests against Montreal (who spoiled the Rangers’ home opener with a 2-0 win in October) and Boston bookend meetings with the Lightning, Kings, and the Bruins again. The Boys in Blue will also go up against their former head coach, John Tortorella, and his Vancouver Canucks at MSG on November 30th.

All told, New York has 10 games remaining in November, including a five game road trip. A 5-3-2 record for the rest of the month would not be an unrealistic goal for the Broadway Blueshirts. Their record at that point would be 14-11-2 and should keep them in the playoff picture before they get an easier slate of games in December.