The Rangers closed out 2014 in fine-fashion, with a 5-2 lead over Florida. New York heads into 2015 with a 9-1 record in their last 10 games, moving up into third in the division with Washington playing on New Year's Day in the Winter Classic. While there are areas of concern and to be worked on, the team is in much better shape - beyond just the record - then where they were a month ago.
I took two main positives among the myriad of them from Wednesday's win. First, the continued return to form of Chris Kreider. To me, his mindset on the ice looks better, which has translated to improved play. He was dominant at times Monday and yesterday he took another step forward. As Dave Maloney said after the game: "I thought he was a bull in a china shop and that is how he has to play. He has to play a straight line game with authority, and be a little belligerent with his physicality. His mates did a good job of finding him in flight because when he is in flight you can't stop him." Straight ahead, hard to the net, using his size and speed without fear of getting called for a penalty. When Kreider does that, he is hard to stop.
The second was the play of Ryan McDonagh and Marc Staal. Since returning from his injury, McDonagh has 10 points in 14 games, but just recently has he started to look like the Norris Trophy candidate we believe he is. That jump, soccer stop with his right foot and blast for a goal on the power play was evident of the high skill level he has. McDonagh appears to be getting his legs back, seen by his rushes up the ice. When you combine that offensive ability with his skill in his own zone, it bodes well for a big 2015 for him.
Staal doesn't possess the same offensive skill but boy is he damn good in his own zone. Dan Boyle struggled a bit yesterday but Staal was there to help clean up any messes. Maybe Staal isn't worth six mil+ per over six years but I ask you this, how confident are you in anyone else being able to step into his top-four role? Find a way to get a deal done with him Glen Sather.
New York did a great job of using their speed against the Panthers last night. Florida is a team that grinds and wears down their opponents. Maybe they were a bit tired after playing Monday, but the Rangers didn't allow them to play their game. In fact, beyond using their speed, New York went hard to the net, scoring several goals (Kreider, Brassard and St. Louis) due to their hard work, which is usually a staple of Florida's goals.
Buffalo on Saturday and then off to the Left Coast for three games.