newjerseynewsroom.com

BY SAM HITCHCOCK

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

The Winter Classic is over. No longer is Henrik Lundqvist rocking out with John McEnroe, nor are the immensely enjoyable roommates Brian Boyle and Brandon Prust regulars on America’s TV sets. The Rangers pulled out a nail-biter against Philly (and the refs -- just kidding, I swear I’m kidding, don’t fine me Gary!) and their first tests, post-Classic, were against playoff-contending Florida and Pittsburgh.

As much as it pains me as a Devils fan to admit, the Rangers are just so impressive this season. They forecheck and play so hard that they match the intensity of their coach, John Tortorella. Their three best players, Marian Gaborik, Brad Richards, and Ryan Callahan, are among the most hardworking players on the team when it comes to grinding and getting their hands dirty along the boards and corners, which can be uncommon for some team’s star players.

The first goal scored in their matchup against Florida was a pretty give-and-go by Florida’s Marcel Goc and Mikael Samuelsson as Goc roofed it on Lundqvist to make it 1-0. But in characteristic Rangers fashion, the Blueshirts responded strongly when, at the close of the first period, Anton Stralman found the puck along the boards and threw it at the net. The shot was able to pass through the traffic and Scott Clemmensen’s legs to tie it at 1-1.

In the second period, the Rangers got a powerplay and took advantage. The Rangers were cycling the puck when Dan Girardi received a pass at the point and immediately fed it to an open Richards. The Panthers’ penalty kill was caught flat-footed, and Richards fired a slapshot at Ryan Callahan who was screening Clemmensen. Callahan successfully screened Clemmenson and deflected the slapper for a power play goal, moving ahead the Rangers 2-1.

Less than a minute later, the Rangers had a defensive breakdown. Florida’s Mike Santorelli walked into the defensive zone, skated into the right circle, and ripped a shot pass Lundqvist to tie the game up.

The game was hard fought, remaining 2-2 until overtime. Then, Marian Gaborik, trailed Derek Stephan on a rush up the ice, and Stefan dropped a pass to Gaborik who fired home a shot for the game-winner.

The Rangers always seem to be positioned perfectly, a result of great coaching (the Red Wings are similarly well positioned under coach Mike Babcock). The puck seems to magnetically gravitate towards the net, allowing for the Rangers to fight hard and hammer rebounds and shots from close-range.

This year’s team is a stark contrast to Rangers’ team is to Rangers teams in the past, and a large part is due to Tortorella. Apart from their positioning and their stars’ work ethic, these Rangers have the mentality that they will hit you in the mouth, and if you retaliate, the entire team will hit you in the mouth to defend their teammate. This may sound inconsequential, but team unity like this is what separates Stanley Cup contenders in the postseason.