Blueshirts Atop NHL with 56 Points at Midway Point of Season

Photo Credit nydailynews.com

 New York Rangers are atop the NHL with an excellent 26-9-4 record (56 points) but know there’s a long road to the Playoffs. Goalkeepers Henrik Lundqvist and Martin Biron are leading the way for New York. Many teams have a top goalie and a backup but the Rangers have a #1 and a #1A. Lundqvist’s numbers are: GP 29, W 18, L 7, OT 4, SV% .939, GAA 1.89, SO 3 while Biron’s are: GP 11, W 8, L 2, OT 0, SV% .922, GAA 2.06, SO 1. Head coach John Tortorella has wanted to give Henrik rest during the year so he’d be fresh down the stretch and in Torts’ three plus years with the Rangers he’s finally getting the opportunity. Lundqvist wants to play every game but he is aware of the benefits of regular rest throughout the season and is slated to make 65 starts. Marc Staal, making his season debut at the Winter Classic, was a welcome site. His blueline partner Dan Girardi made huge strides in his game and wore Staal’s A (alternate captain) in his absence. Other noteworthy elements to the Rangers’ success had been the play of their young defensemen Ryan McDonagh and Stu Bickel. McDonagh and Girardi have become a shutdown pair and the team will only get better as Staal gets into game shape. Sniper Marian Gaborik is back with 23 goals and playing at a high level with 1st line mates Derek Stepan and Artem Anisimov. Highly sought after free agent centerman Brad Richards has found a home on the 2nd line with Brandon Dubinsky and captain Ryan Callahan. The plan was to have Richards center the top line but Torts will not argue with success. The team is playing as solidly as I’ve seen in many many years and so far it’s been a special season for the Rangers. I’m looking forward to the second half.