NY Post Predicts Rangers Will Win the Cup! Thanks for stealing my thunder Larry!
Larry Brooks is predicting the King will officially be crowned this year!
The NY Post’s Larry Brooks is predicting the Rangers will win the Stanley Cup!
First off, thanks Mr. Brooks for stealing my thunder. Second off, damn Mr. Brooks is good at his job!
OFFENSE
“The Rangers are built to push both the puck and the pace, with speed and talent trumping size and strength in the personnel selection process.”
What Larry is pointing out here, is a direct reflection of Alain Vigneault’s coaching philosophy that in today’s NHL, speed kills.
Chris Kreider Photo:Jim McIsaac-Getty)
Players like Carl Hagelin and Chris Kreider will excel this season. In addition, all the Rangers forwards have the ability to quickly transition and push the puck. Slow skaters like Brad Richards and Brian Boyle are now gone. In their place, faster and younger players like JT Miller and Anthony Duclair will have a chance to shine.
DEFENSE
“The heart of the team beats through the Blueshirts’ Blue Line Big Three — Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi and Marc Staal — who are sturdy in their own end and can all make the first pass to trigger the breakout, freed of instructions to chip it out and chip it in.”
SHOTS FIRED! Larry Brooks can’t help himself when it comes to John Tortorella can he? Still, he is right. Last season, AV let the reins loose on his blue-line and it was painful to watch at first. However, at some point in early January – it all fell into the place and the Rangers went on a tear.
Ryan McDonagh (Photo: Anthony J. Causi)
Ryan McDonagh’s point production went up to a career high, 43 points. This season, we are predicting 50 points, maybe 60 for the newly minted captain. As for the the other 3 – they aren’t so bad either.
Dan Boyle was brought in to replace Anton Stralman, what we lose on defense the Rangers more than make up for it on offense. Finally, the Rangers have a true PP QB to generate offense from the blue line.
Kevin Klein and John Moore are also building chemistry. Klein’s stay at home style will allow John Moore to finally find himself as an offensive force on defense.
GOALTENDING
“Henrik Lundqvist is the name above the title on the marquee, the face of the franchise who has done it all in this league and for his team except for winning three more games in the final.
Henrik Lundqvist – enough said.
COACHING
“The Blueshirts responded well to Vigneault’s style on and off the ice, with leadership in the room filling in the intentional blanks left by the coach. Vigneault treats his players like adults. The Rangers have responded accordingly.”
Just in case that first shot missed or only maimed Torts’, here’s another!
One of those tender Torts and Brooksie moments.
Regardless, AV’s approach has worked. I will be the first to admit that I was concerned last season, all the way up to December. However, I noticed that when the Rangers “got it”, they were tougher to beat, because they had the puck more.
KEYS TO LARRY’S PREDICTIONS
“Alain Vigneault will have to massage and manage the center-ice slot the first month. Everyone understands it might not be pretty.”
Brooks broke down several keys, such as the play of Derick Brassard needs to elevate with Stepan out. Ryan McDonagh must lead the team, but Dan Boyle has to be the offensive catalyst back there. And Anthony Duclair is the hot new thing, but it could be Kevin Hayes that makes the biggest impact.
Ultimately, we choose Brooks’ comments on AV and his ability to coach this team through what could be another difficult opening stretch.
In the end, Brooks feels this team has all the chops to make it to hockey’s pinnacle.
“The Rangers will be a work in progress, better in December than in October, better in April, May and June than in December. They present a psychologically strong unit that is all in on the quest for the Cup … that they will achieve.”
Hey Larry! We’re ALL IN too!
Larry’s full article can be read here….please check it out.
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