The NY Rangers have stringed together four straight wins without two of their best players. Both Ryan McDonagh and Rick Nash are huge contributors to the winning formula of The Rangers. First reaction is to think New York will have issues scoring and defending, ultimately losing games and falling out of the tight playoff race in the east. Luckily this just isn’t the case, and what’s occurring for The Rangers is very reminiscent of the teams success and eventual President’s Trophy last year. They are getting contributions up and down the roster with some unlikely players making a mark on the stat sheet.
One player that is experiencing a great hot streak over the last 10 games is J.T. Miller. Miller is young, energetic, but early on has had a tough time finding his place on the team. He has been up and down and in and out of The Rangers team and there AHL affiliate, The Hartford Wolfpack. With Miller’s latest output of scoring, it is hard to imagine him making a return to the AHL and likely has cemented himself as a solid NHL player.
Outside of Miller, we are seeing players like Jesper Fast, Dominic Moore, and Kevin Hayes making their presence felt. The Rangers most recent game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, a 3-0 win, Fast, Moore, and Hayes each scored a goal. For Dominic Moore it was his first goal of 2016!
In summary, The Rangers are playing some of their best hockey at a great point of the season. Once McDonagh and Nash get back in the action they should only strengthen the team.
