Top 5 Must-See New York Rangers Home Games In 2013-14 Season

Top 5 Must-See New York Rangers Home Games In 2013-14 Season

The New York Rangers will be a team expecting to win and hopefully make a serious push in the playoffs this season, and in the next few years as well.

This 2013-14 season will mark the 20-year anniversary since the last time the Rangers hoisted the Stanley Cup. The Rangers hosted some really tough opponents in Madison Square Garden that year and will again do so this season, which is why I have compiled a list of the top five must-see home games for Rangers fans in 2013-14.

Now I am not talking about the New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins because when the Rangers face those teams, both at home or on the road, it is always must-see TV (or a must-attend if you are lucky enough to afford NHL tickets nowadays). These are just too obvious.

As a Rangers fan, I have gone through the Blueshirts' schedule to pick out the best and potentially the most entertaining home games for fans to see on television or to attend this season.

So please click next and view all of the slides, and please feel free to leave any comments below whether you agree with the games I have chosen. Remember, this is only one man's opinion.

5. New York Rangers vs. Montreal Canadiens (October 28, 2013)

On October 28, 2013, the New York Rangers will play their home opener against the Montreal Canadiens after a brutal first nine games on the road due to the renovations being done to Madison Square Garden.

I think it is pretty self-explanatory why this game is on the list since every home opener is either must-see television or a must-attend game, and with the Canadiens coming off of a playoff berth last season, October 28 will be a very good early test for the Blueshirts.

4. New York Rangers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (December 12, 2013)

Yes, you are reading this right. The Columbus Blue Jackets visiting Madison Square Garden for the first time as a member of the new Metropolitan Division should start an instant rivalry because of the players on these two teams, and will indeed be a must-see.

Many ex-Rangers are currently on the Blue Jackets, and vice versa. With the Blue Jackets improving this offseason by signing forward Nathan Horton among others, plus the fact that they also have a Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender in Sergei Bobrovsky, the Jackets will be a playoff contender next season and should prove to be a tough matchup for the Rangers. I believe a new rivalry between these two clubs will definitely form this 2013-14 season.

3. New York Rangers vs. Chicago Blackhawks (February 27, 2014)

After an entire season of not playing this Original Six team due to the lockout, the Rangers will face the Chicago Blackhawks, aka the defending Stanley Cup champions, at MSG on February 27, 2014.

A must-see game for every Rangers fan not only because of the Original Six rivalry, this is a came that will test if the Rangers can seriously contend for a Stanley Cup this upcoming season. Who better than to test your abilities against the defending Stanley Cup champions?

2. New York Rangers vs. Boston Bruins (November 19, 2013)

November 19, 2013 will be the first time the Rangers will face the Boston Bruins since they were eliminated by Bruins in the second round of last years' playoffs.

Need I say more?

While beating the Bruins on the 19th won't prove to be any payback since it is only one regular season game, but it would be nice to see how the new-look Rangers will match up with the Bruins, who could very well be a playoff opponent again this season -- you never know.

1. New York Rangers vs. Vancouver Canucks (November 30, 2013)

I think this will be the biggest must-see home game for Rangers fans this season by fan. I mean, how could it not be?

The Rangers' new coach Alain Vigneault is the ex-head coach of the Vancouver Canucks, and guess who took his job in Vancouver? Of course it was ex-Rangers coach John Tortorella.

So after basically trading head coaches this offseason, this will be the first time both of these teams face each other.

Honestly, how can fans of both teams not tune into this game?

Not only should there be some extra incentive for the players, but it would also be exciting to see how the Rangers play with the Canucks' old system and how the Canucks play with the Rangers' old system.

Also, with many thinking that the Sedin twins will not block shots for Tortorella, how can this game not be on national television?

Oh yeah, it is.

Steven Carollo is a New York Rangers’ and sports writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook, and join his Google network.