NFL
By: Monte Perez
The New York Rangers are 3rd in the Eastern Conference. They have a record of 40-18-5, a total of 85 points. Part of their success has been the goaltender’s ability to literally “stand on his head” at time. Igor Shesterkin has 30 wins, 8 losses, and 2.05 goals against average. That is ranked 1st in the NHL. He is arguably the best net keeper in the NFL.
The Rangers offense has not been great, but they have been opportunistic. They are ranked 30th in shots on goal per game. They are only getting 28.6 shots per night, but their offense is ranked 16th in goals per game. Chris Kreider has been one of the best players in the entire NHL from the beginning of the season until now.
Kreider is 3rd in the NHL with 41 goals and 1st in the NHL with 21 power play goals. The former Boston College star has always been a decent scorer, but he has taken his game to the next level this season. Over the past three years he has scored 28,24, and 20 goals. In 2005-06 Jaromir Jagr set the record for most goals in a season as a New York Ranger with 54. Kreider is on pace to tie or break that record.
This Rangers team is top heavy, they don’t have a lot of depth, but their top players are all producing
- Artemi Panarin has 56 assists.
- Mika Zibanejed has 63 points.
- Adam Fox may win the Norris Trophy again this year as the NHL’s best defensemen.
- Gerard Gallant could win Coach of the Year.
If the Rangers can find a way to get more production out of their 3rd and 4th lines, this team can make a deep run in the playoffs. Their No. 1 line and goaltending can compete with anyone in the NHL. Will it be enough?
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