New York Rangers: Case for the Stanley Cup

The New York Rangers Have Been a Playoff Staple for a While Now, But is That All They Are, or Will New York Bring the Stanley Cup to Madison Square Garden This Year? This Rangers Team is as Motivated as They Can Be, And a More Youthful Roster Made the Team Hungrier. Can They Do it?

The Rangers are coming in at the first wild card spot as we approach the playoffs this season. New York has had their fair share of ups and downs this season, but now the team is motivated and they are looking to go all the way; New York wants the Cup.

EXPECTATIONS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON:

Rangers fans were expecting a rebuild season when New York left the playoffs in an early drop to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Rangers were chasing the Stanley Cup but were falling short each time and GM Jeff Gorton insinuated that some rebuild was coming. Alas, a few players moved but an overhaul didn't happen.

As usual, NHL fans expected to see the Rangers give strong play this season, so it isn't surprising for the Rangers to be headed into the playoffs. Though, most NHL fans have seen the Rangers as a team who can get there but who can't close the deal.

BIGGEST STRENGTH: DETERMINATION OF OFFENSIVE POWER

The Rangers have a much younger roster this season, especially with the additions of Brady Skjei, Jimmy Vesey and Pavel Buchnevich. These young players, combined with the returned youth of Kevin Hayes, J.T. Miller and Chris Kreider, have brought significant levels of determination.

The Rangers are currently the second highest scoring team in the NHL with 10 players having over 10 goals each. Veteran Michael Grabner joined the team in the offseason and has been an incredible boost for the team as he skates through a career-high season (27 G, 39 P). Mats Zuccarello has also matched his career-high in assists (15 G, 40 A) and has been a significant offensive producer for the team.

The Rangers have found solid offensive touch this season, especially with some blue line improvement which has given the forwards more opportunities to take shots. The additions of Skjei, Nick Holden and Brendan Smith on defense has been good for the team and has encouraged offensive power and has been more defensively sound than in the past.

New York has determination. Led by Ryan McDonagh, the Rangers have been known to buckle down and achieve the difficult. Between goals when you need them most from Rick Nash and the power of strong all-around play from Derek Stepan, the Rangers are loaded with determination.

Not to mention, Henrik Lundqvist, with Antti Raanta playing backup, is a boost in net for any team.

BIGGEST QUESTION MARK: INCONSISTENCIES

The Rangers have had their fair share of inconsistent play this season, and before. Their defense, though an improvement from last season, has still fallen victim to the occasional up and down play. Earlier this season, the Rangers struggled to get wins when defense left Lundqvist out to dry in net.

The small inconsistencies can be a buzz kill for any team, especially in a best of seven game series. Inconsistencies can cost a game and have done so to many teams in the past. The Rangers need to make sure their play and mentality will be as solid as possible when they take the ice for their first playoff matchup. The team's determination to win needs to outweigh any possible inconsistencies.

WHY THE NEW YORK RANGERS CAN WIN THE CUP:

The New York Rangers are a strong team. They've got solid offense, strong d-men and top-notch goaltending. The team's ability to make important plays when they need it and ability to channel their determination into their play will be a strength.

The Rangers have been down this path before; they've seen Stanley Cup champions slip slightly passed them in the race and know what it takes to win the Cup. Sure, they haven't been the champs since '94 but in the last few years, the Rangers have come to see exactly what it takes to be Stanley Cup Champions. Now, they can apply what they've learned to get the job done.

Their experience from the veterans combined with the youthful determination on the team can make a lethal combination. Not to mention, the Rangers are often overlooked come playoff season because of their history of just missing which means other teams might downplay the team's improvement from last season.

There is no real reason the Rangers can't win the Cup, they just need to buckle down, get determined and do it. If they can override their inconsistencies with determination and the strength of their roster, on and off the bench, they can get where they want to be this season.