The Importance Of Momentum
by Joe Fortunato on Jan 8, 2012 9:00 AM EST
in New York Rangers Analysis
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The New York Rangers are on a respectable four-game winning streak, something that has helped the Rangers open up a four-point lead over the Philadelphia Flyers in the Atlantic Division. The Rangers are also first in the Eastern Conference and first in the NHL at this point in the season.
But it's not just about the Rangers' standing within the league or even within the conference right now. It's about who they are beating.
Going back to December 20th, the Rangers have played divisional opponents six times. New York is 6-0 in those games, beating the Flyers and New York Islanders twice and the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New Jersey Devils once. The Rangers have also outscored their opponents 21-8 in those six wins.
Join me after the jump for more.
The victories, which have helped propel the Rangers into a nine wins in 10 games stretch, also also giving the Rangers a mountain of confidence in John Tortorella's system and the philosophies this team is pounding into their daily game. Yes, Henrik Lundqvist has bailed the Rangers out on multiple occasions this year, but I'm not apologizing for Lundqvist's fantastic play. He's a New York Ranger, he's supposed to keep the puck out of the net.
More importantly, however, is that the Rangers know they can hang with pretty much anyone in the league. The team behind the Rangers in the league standings? The Vancouver Canucks, who the Rangers beat 4-0 earlier in the year.
In fact, the only elite team in the East the Rangers haven't matched up with is the Boston Bruins. That game will come January 21st at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers will also play the Chicago Blackhawks (5th in the NHL as of Saturday night) on February 16th.
The Rangers won't play again until Tuesday when they host the Phoenix Coyotes. But over the past few weeks the team, has gained some serious momentum.
Momentum does a lot of things, but it helps keeps players mentally strong over the course of a season. But momentum isn't given, it's earned.
Right now, the Rangers are earning every inch of it.
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Momentum, confidence and luck.
The immeasurable difference makers.
by teknics on Jan 8, 2012 11:17 AM EST via mobile reply actions
The Boston series is going to be one for the ages, two top teams in the East battling for supremacy come playoff time. Its gonna be nuts, we can only hope it becomes Rangers v Bruins in the Conference Finals (I know Im getting wayy ahead of myself here) That would be a playoff series to remember.
^^
I’m with this guy.
"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
Funny, a few over at the Bruins site are saying the same thing about us. We seem to be one of the few teams that scare them.
Aucune clause de Mouvement
by Blueshirt in Paris on Jan 9, 2012 9:13 AM EST up reply actions
We’re one of the few teams in the East capable of matching their depth, goaltending, and sandpaper.
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by George E. Ays on Jan 9, 2012 9:23 AM EST up reply actions
They felt the same way last year too.
Like George said, we match them well
by teknics on Jan 9, 2012 10:43 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Marchand
What do people think of the Marchand hit? Should he be suspended and do we have to watch out for him and Lucic (repeat offenders) when we play the B’s?
Homo homini lupus est - Human beings are wolves to each other
Definitely a game or two, clipping is clipping, they’d definitely have to take into account Marchand is a little guy trying to protect himself. I don’t think we should be to worried about LOOCHEECH or thornton, big mike rupp can go out their and dictate and last time I checked prust aint no chump. Both teams are very similar tough teams, should be a great hard fought matchup with two of the games best goal-ers going at it, should be a 1-0/2-1 type of game.
by ImMike88 on Jan 8, 2012 11:33 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
Should be suspended 2-3 games. Nothing too bad though.
With Lucic, I love his game, but these “incidents” are starting to add up, and he’s starting to get a bad rep.
"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
We shouldn't hang too much on the 1st Vancouver game...
The Canucks did not have their shit together back then and are playing a much better brand of hockey now. Bottom line is, we haven’t beaten(played) any of the top teams in the league… unless we include Philly.
What do you consider the top teams, besides Boston and Vancouver?
Because we have literally shit on every other good team in the east.
"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
Chicago and Detroit...
We have certainly handled our division, but we have yet to beat Toronto and did not “shit on” Montreal(1 win, 1 loss) who’s speed we had some trouble with if I remember correctly.
Maybe my point was missed: This statement:
“More importantly, however, is that the Rangers know they can hang with pretty much anyone in the league. The team behind the Rangers in the league standings? The Vancouver Canucks, who the Rangers beat 4-0 earlier in the year.”
should be taken with a grain of salt, IMO. We beat Vancouver early in the season when they were struggling to get their shit going. Aside from that game we have not faced 4 of the other 5 teams that sit with us in the top 6 spots of the NHL. It’s a little presumptuous to hang much faith on that game. Our dominance of Philly definitely helps make that case though.
With that said, I’m not convinced we can “hang with pretty much anyone in the league”… YET. Beat Boston in more facets of the game than just goaltending and I might be willing to alter that feeling.
Well, that’s why I said “good team in the east”.
I highly doubt either Montreal or Toronto make the playoffs at this point anyway.
Besides Boston, no one in the east really worries me. Detroit and Vancouver, as well as San Jose worry me in the west, but that’s about it.
"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
Also a fully healthy Pittsburgh. I rather not get matched up with them if they are healthy.
"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
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