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New York Rangers’ First-Quarter Grades

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New York Rangers’ First-Quarter Grades

Mats Zuccarello New York Rangers
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While it seems like the hockey season just got underway, it’s already the quarter-mark of the 2014-15 campaign. The defending Eastern Conference Champion New York Rangers have high expectations this season, and so far it’s been an inconsistent start. Here are the first-quarter grades for the Broadway Blueshirts.

Offense: B+

Rick Nash New York Rangers
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Offense: B+

Rick Nash New York Rangers
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The offense has been a work in progress because of early-season injuries and the departures of Brad Richards and Brian Boyle. Still, the Rangers have managed to average a respectable 2.8 goals per game and have improved as the season’s gone on. New York is also a solid 5-on-5 team with a 1.19 goals for/against ratio, which is third best in the Eastern Conference. In addition, Rick Nash is back in elite goal-scoring form with14 in 20 games.

Defense: C

Marc Staal New York Rangers
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Defense: C

Marc Staal New York Rangers
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The Rangers were expected to be a solid defensive team, but they haven’t been consistent so far. Injuries to Dan Boyle and Ryan McDonagh have made things tougher, but it’s mostly the Ranger forwards who have to play better defensively. New York has given up three or more goals in 11 of their 20 games, which can’t continue. The defense gets a middle of the road grade because they haven’t been good enough but have improved of late.

Special Teams: C+

Martin St. Louis New York Rangers
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Special Teams: C+

Martin St. Louis New York Rangers
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The Rangers had an atrocious start to the season on the power play and currently rank 22nd in the NHL. The penalty kill unit has been solid but still needs improvement. The Rangers have also given up three shorthanded goals this season. New York is more of an even strength team, but the special teams need to get better if the Rangers want a shot of repeating as Conference Champs.

Goaltending: A-

Henrik Lundqvist Cam Talbot New York Rangers
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Goaltending: A-

Henrik Lundqvist Cam Talbot New York Rangers
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The Rangers have great goaltending, but Henrik Lundqvist’s numbers have been subpar by his standards. Still, Lundqvist has four shutouts already after he had five all of last season. As for backup Cam Talbot, he’s had a rocky start after a great rookie season, but he got a shutout in his last start and is still an above-average backup. Overall, the Rangers have one of the best goalie tandems in the NHL.

Coaching: A

Alain Vigneault New York Rangers
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Coaching: A

Alain Vigneault New York Rangers
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Alain Vigneault and his coaching staff have done a great job so far this season. Vigneault has done well to put together a good team after losing some key players from last season. He’s also shuffled the lineup well to deal with the injuries to Boyle, McDonagh and Derek Stepan. Vigneault has a way of getting the most out of his players, and when the Rangers aren’t playing well, he motivates them to turn it around fast.

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