NFL Tickets
As we approach the All-Star break, the New York Rangers have been a major disappointment this season. After all, we are talking about the same core that won the Presidents’ Trophy last season with a backup goaltender for most of the season.
As good as last year’s team was, this year’s team has been just as maddening. There are several players who need to elevate their games if the Rangers hope to make another run in the playoffs. At this point, they need these players to elevate their games to make sure they even make the playoffs.
Here are five Rangers who need to improve their play after the All-Star break.
5. Dan Girardi
Credit: Getty ImagesGirardi has never been elite but there was a point when he was good enough to get the job done. He isn’t even that right now. He will need to shake off the cobwebs, both mentally and physically, to help fortify the Rangers’ defense.
5. Dan Girardi
Could this season be any worse for Girardi? Rangers fans have been pulling their hair out every time Girardi makes a mistake, which seems like a nightly occurrence at this point. His season in a nutshell has been one of lapses, terrible turnovers (remember that sweet assist he had for Alexander Ovechkin?) and mistake after mistake.
Girardi has never been elite but there was a point when he was good enough to get the job done. He isn’t even that right now. He will need to shake off the cobwebs, both mentally and physically, to help fortify the Rangers’ defense.
4. Kevin Hayes
Credit: Getty ImagesWith restricted free agency approaching, it appears his time with the Rangers might actually be coming to a close because they might not be able to afford him. He will need a big second half to prove he is worthy of a new contract.
4. Kevin Hayes
Maybe expectations were set too high for Hayes, who has struggled mightily to find his game. There are times when he looks like he is snapping out of it, then he implodes again. His defensive lapses and missed offensive opportunities have stymied the Rangers and Rangers fans alike.
With restricted free agency approaching, it appears his time with the Rangers might actually be coming to a close because they might not be able to afford him. He will need a big second half to prove he is worthy of a new contract.
3. Chris Kreider
Credit: Getty ImagesHe has shown signs lately of coming out of his slump, but just when you think he has taken that next step, he disappears again. The Rangers need him to be a top-six forward and one seriously has to wonder if he is that right now.
3. Chris Kreider
Every year Rangers fans expect Kreider to take that next step. They are still waiting. Kreider slumped early this season and his frustrations showed through as he took several dumb penalties. You could tell he was frustrated as a result of not finding the back of the net, and he played out of control.
He has shown signs lately of coming out of his slump, but just when you think he has taken that next step, he disappears again. The Rangers need him to be a top-six forward and one seriously has to wonder if he is that right now.
2. Rick Nash
Credit: Getty ImagesThe Rangers were counting on Nash to become a consistent 30-goal scorer when they acquired him. While he has been good, he hasn’t been the player they traded for. They need more from Nash. At this point, it doesn’t look like they will get it.
2. Rick Nash
Nash is on pace for just 21 goals this season, a far cry from the 42 he scored last year. Last season he recorded his 12th goal by the 15th game. Now he has 12 in 45 games. It took him until the eighth game to record his first goal and he hasn’t scored a goal since Dec. 30.
The Rangers were counting on Nash to become a consistent 30-goal scorer when they acquired him. While he has been good, he hasn’t been the player they traded for. They need more from Nash. At this point, it doesn’t look like they will get it.
1. Henrik Lundqvist
Credit: Getty ImagesHe has also let in some goals that he would have stopped with ease in previous years. There seems to be something a bit off with Lundqvist and the Rangers will need him to regain his elite form if they want to make a run in the playoffs.
1. Henrik Lundqvist
At the beginning of the season, Henrik Lundqvist put this team on his back and carried it to a hot start. Now, it seems his covering for the team’s lapses has caught up with him. He is still an elite goaltender, but you can see there is only so much he can do when the team in front of him consistently turns the puck over in their own zone and allows wide open rebounds.
He has also let in some goals that he would have stopped with ease in previous years. There seems to be something a bit off with Lundqvist and the Rangers will need him to regain his elite form if they want to make a run in the playoffs.
Share 
