It can be said in hockey that the only thing that matters is winning the Stanley Cup.
While that is true, what is also a fact is that it takes a lot of wins to get there in both the regular season and the postseason. Every point matters, so every team needs to gather wins when they can.
The New York Rangers have taken that to heart to start the season. As of this writing (Monday night, October 21), the Blueshirts are 4-0-1 with nine points, which is good for second in the Metropolitan Division (two points behind the New Jersey Devils) and fourth in the league.
The team is off to a good start for several reasons. For starters, the club is getting excellent goaltending from Igor Shesterkin.
Shesterkin, 28, is currently (as of Monday night, October 21) 3-0-1 with a 1.97 goals-against average, a .935 save percentage and one shutout. Except for the tough night he had against the Utah Hockey Club back on Saturday night, October 12 (6-5 overtime loss), Shesterkin has been reliable by coming up with the big saves when his team needs them, not allowing soft goals, being in a good position for second and third shots, and helping out his defensemen by making smart plays with the puck.
Another reason why the team is finding success early in the season is because of its offense. The Rangers are currently (as of Monday night, October 21) tied for second in the league in goals scored with 24 in five games, which means they are averaging close to five goals per game (4.80 goals per game).
The team’s offense is once again being driven by Artemi Panarin. Panarin, 32, had 120 points last season and is well on his way to another stellar offensive season.
Panarin currently (as of Monday night, October 21) leads the team with 12 points on six goals and six assists. He is currently first on the team in goals, assists, points, power play goals (three), and shooting percentage (37.5 percent).
Speaking of Panarin, his linemates, Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere, are also off to a terrific start. Trocheck is currently second on the team with seven points (two goals and five assists), and Lafreniere is third on the team with six points (three goals and three assists).
Chris Kreider is also off to a solid start for his hockey club. He is second on the team with five goals, two of which have been game-winning markers.
The Blueshirts are also having a lot of success on the power play to start the season. Last season, the team finished third in the league on the power play as they converted on 26.7 percent of the opportunities they were given.
It has been much of the same to start this season when it comes to their power play. They are currently fourth in the league, as they have converted on 31.3 percent of the chances they have been given so far.
Speaking of special teams, the Blueshirts have been dynamite on the penalty kill in the early going. The team is currently fourth in the league in that category as they have killed off 89.5 percent of the penalties they have taken so far.
Lastly, some credit has to go to head coach Peter Laviolette. Laviolette has done a good job of keeping his lines together and having his team play the right way to win hockey games.
There is still a lot of hockey left to be played, but if you are a Rangers fan, you have to appreciate what the team has accomplished so far and what their potential could end up being when it matters most.
