NHL New York Rangers

New York Rangers Must Maintain Four-Line Production

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The New York Rangers got a convincing 5-0 win against the league-leading Montreal Canadiens on Sunday and earned consecutive shutouts for the first time since 2003. A dominating win against the No. 1 team in points is nice, but the Rangers need to build on it and avoid slipping back into inconsistency. The Rangers look poised to do just that, because the entire lineup is contributing.

New York’s been very inconsistent in their last 10 games with a 3-3-4 record, but they have looked like a great team at times this season. Besides Montreal, the Rangers also have one-sided shutout victories against the Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins and San Jose Sharks, all of which went to the playoffs last season.

While the Rangers’ season has been a roller coaster ride so far, it looks like now is the time they might get on an extended run because the entire team is playing well and chemistry is rising. The back-to-back shutouts were courtesy of both goalies, with Henrik Lundqvist stoning the Habs and backup Cam Talbot shutting out Philly four nights prior. Against Montreal all 12 New York forwards recorded a point, an amazing feat that the Rangers haven’t done since 1980. Talk about everyone doing their job, and that is the key to New York winning more games.

As a team with limited offensive stars, the Rangers must continue to generate offense with all four lines. The Rangers are a dangerous team when all lines are playing well, because it allows them to minimize the length of each shift and wear down defenses. Coach Alain Vigneault likes rotating lines quickly, and that is part of why the Rangers are such a fast team.

The young talents of Anthony Duclair and Kevin Hayes have brought life to the third line, while the fourth line has finally started to get some production. With everyone contributing, the Rangers have a chance to develop a consistent run and they’ll need it over the next few weeks.

New York’s next six games are against Eastern Conference playoff teams from last season. New York’s longest winning streak is only three games, and they have a chance to match that on Wednesday when they face the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Rangers need to win a third straight and beyond as they try to keep pace in a very tight Metropolitan Division. New York also gets the chance for some revenge against the Lightning, after Tampa Bay dismantled the Rangers at Madison Square Garden last week. The Rangers must continue to build on their momentum since that game.

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