New York Rangers Need Rick Nash to Continue Hot Start
By Matt Stillwell
@MattNYR12
Ed Mulholland – USA Today Sports
For a moment, let’s put aside the fact that Rick Nash is “supposed” to be playing at an elite level just because he makes the most money on the New York Rangers.
Whether it changes your opinion of the player, the fact is that Nash’s incredibly hot start has allowed his team to recover from a shaky first few games. He undoubtedly is the league’s MVP for the first two weeks of the regular season, and the Rangers must hope he maintains this level of play for as long as possible.
The rest of the Rangers team, despite winning their last three games, has yet to maintain a level of consistency. Henrik Lundqvist appears to have shaken off his rough start, but question marks remain for many other key players. Mats Zuccarello and Carl Hagelin, expected to be top-six forwards for the team, have a combined total of three points and a plus-minus of -8. Top-three defensemen Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi and especially Marc Staal have not performed up to expectations so far, and have not made up for the absence of Dan Boyle in the lineup.
Nash leads the league and team in goals with eight. Some have come in crucial moments, such as his game-tying goal late in their most recent game against the New Jersey Devils. If this start continues, it will allow the team to keep up the pace in an ultra-competitive Eastern Conference until the return of Derek Stepan and Boyle from injuries. It also allows the rest of his teammates that are off to slow starts to find their games.
Let’s be honest, if not for Nash’s MVP-level play, one can argue the Rangers may not have more than one win right now. At 4-3-0, the Rangers have the opportunity to get into first place in the Metropolitan Division and remain there before the return of Stepan and Boyle.
Nash appears to be healthy for the first time in a long time, and may score 50 goals this season. Will it catapult his team deep in the playoffs again? His play right now suggests yes, but there is still a long way to go.
For now, though, Nash’s hot start is the reason the Rangers remain in the conversation for the list of elite teams in the NHL, and will remain there.
Matt Stillwell is a New York Rangers contributor for www.rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattNYR12!
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