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New York Rangers Finally Resembling Championship Form

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By @MattNYR12

Noah K. Murray - USA TODAY Sports

Noah K. Murray – USA TODAY Sports

A common theme amongst my rants during the 2014-15 New York Rangers season is the comparisons with last season’s Eastern Conference champions. At one point, the team was deemed untrustworthy. Some comparisons are viable, and others are seemingly cherry-picked.

Now, with three games remaining before the New Year, and the team riding high on a seven-game winning streak, we can finally say it: the Rangers are back and primed for another deep run.

Sure, there are still issues to be worked out, and there are still 50 games remaining. Right now, though, the vast majority of players who needed to step up have. Most importantly, the team is defending at an elite level again.

The streak, naturally, has coincided with resurgent play from Henrik Lundqvist and the top-three defensive unit of Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi and Marc Staal. The way this trio shut down Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals for the first 40 minutes of their 4-2 win this past Tuesday is a prime example.

Rookie Kevin Hayes has seemingly filled the void left by Brian Boyle as a back-line, big-bodied center, only with more skill and speed. Kevin Klein has done everything in his power to make up for the loss of Anton Stralman, and one can argue he has outplayed him this season. This has helped, along with one major X-factor.

There is one simple reason why the Rangers can take the next step and are better than last year’s team: Rick Nash is having the best season of his career.

Nash is the healthiest he has ever been, and is playing with the confidence and swagger the Rangers thought they were trading for two years ago. He is second in the NHL with 23 goals, and leads his team with 36 points and a plus/minus of +16. Of course, assuming the Rangers make the playoffs, we will see if Nash can translate his MVP-level regular season play to the big spot, something he has not done his first two years on Broadway.

Nash was brought in to be the game-breaker for the Rangers in the playoffs. This may finally be the year it will happen. To paraphrase from the Movie “Miracle”: this is his time.

The team will need to make a tweak or two before the trade deadline, namely attempt to trade for a front-line center or a big body. Current Rangers, such as Chris Kreider, need to start scoring goals in the second half, and Dan Boyle and the power play must improve. Even with the current roster, though, the Rangers are capable of beating any Eastern Conference team in a seven-game series.

As long as Lundqvist and the defensemen in front of him play like they are supposed to, and Nash stays healthy all season, it is a safe bet to believe in the Rangers again.

Matt Stillwell is a New York Rangers contributor for www.rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattNYR12!

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