Five Steps For Rangers To Get Out Of Their Funk

HOW DO THE RANGERS GET OUT OF THEIR PRESENT SLUMP?

There are 5 answers; simple and complex.

1. The solution – from the beginning of the NHL in 1917 – is simple; WIN hockey games. On Friday the Rangers host the Penguins. In their first meeting of the season, New York clobbered the Penguins 6-0 at Pitt!

But we all know that opening night games are deceptive. The Penguins have painfully become a hot team and should mount a meaningful challenge tonight. For the Rangers, it will be as significant a test as the failed one vs. New Jersey. A win – as I’ve always maintained – could be the start of something big.

2. LONG RANGE: The most encouraging outlook is outlined by longtime journalist and Rangers fan Al Greenberg from Florida. “The core of this team finished atop the NHL last season. The players are good and so is coach Peter Laviolette. A group such as this did not become bums overnight. They can and probably will straighten themselves out.

3. POTENTIAL CHANGES: The Maven’s idea is this: Lavvy should go with essentially the same lineup that won the Presidents’ Trophy. If it succeeds tonight, stay with it. However, if – for any reason – it fails, then the general staff must: A. Finger “Dead Wood” players – even if it’s a high-priced former star such as Mika Zibanejad – and bench them. B. Replace the bums with youth. Brett Berard is a good start. Immediately elevate Gabe Perreault, Brennan Othmann and Victor Mancini. C. Stay with the kids unless they abysmally fail.

4. WHY THERE’S MUCHO HOPE: The talent is there and that – especially – includes Igor Shesterkin. His current slump should be viewed, as it was last mid-season, as a passing misfortune that afflicts most goalkeepers. More importantly, it’s still early in the season with plenty of time for a turnaround. In the 1966-67 season, Toronto lost TEN STRAIGHT GAMES late in the season yet wound up winning the Stanley Cup!

5. THE BOTTOM LINE: When all is said and done, the trick is to make the playoffs in one way or another. GM Chris Drury is in position to make a blockbuster move at or before the Trade Deadline. Once they’re in the playoffs, ANYTHING can happen. Exhibits A and B, are the 1938 Chicago Black Hawks and the 1949 Maple Leafs. Each team finished under .500 and each team won The Stanley Cup!

6. ADVICE: STOP WORRYING!