2016 is rapidly approaching and the New York Rangers are playing better hockey. But for now, let’s take a look back at the top five moments from 2015.
By Chris Wengert
Another deep playoff run may have ended in some disappointment, but many timeless memories were made along the way.
The start to this season was one of the best the franchise has seen in over 40 years, followed by a month of head scratching play.
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However the Rangers last game against the Anaheim Ducks has given fans reason to be optimistic moving forward.
The team played better defense, Henrik Lundqvist made some timely saves, and Mats Zuccarello made some overtime magic by scoring a pretty overtime goal.
Since we are feeling optimistic about our New York Rangers, let’s keep the good feelings rolling by taking a look at the top five moments from 2015.
5. Rick Nash Scores 42 Goals
Rick Nash came to New York with some very high (and arguably unrealistic) expectations. After the 2012 lockout, Nash scored 22 goals and was looking like that missing piece the Rangers needed to make a Stanley Cup run.
A year later, a disappointing regular season (26 goals, 13 assists) and an even more frustrating post season (3 goals, 7 assists) had many fans labeling the Nash trade as a failure.
Then the 2014-2015 season happened, and Rick Nash silenced many of his critics.
Nash not only scored a career high 42 goals, but also emerged as one of the Rangers best two-way players in 2015.
4. Cam Talbot Emerges As A Star
Just the thought of a Henrik Lundqvist injury gives Rangers Nation a chill down their collective spines.
But that is exactly what happened when he took this shot to the neck:
Martial Law was declared in New York City, and mass panic erupted among Ranger fans.
Enter former Ranger back up goalie, Cam Talbot.
Known affectionately as the “goal buster”, Cam Talbot was clutch in Lundqvist’s absence, posting these impressive stats:
Expectations for Talbot were low, as fans were just hoping that he could post a .500 record. A .500 record would at worst out the Rangers in the playoffs while giving Hank time to recover.
Fast forward to April, and the New York Rangers won their first President’s Trophy in 20 years, thanks to the outstanding play of Cam Talbot.
Talbot was also award with the Steven McDonald Award.
This “extra effort” award is a cherished annual tradition at MSG, and Talbot joins names such as: Henrik Lundqvist, Mats Zuccarello, Mark Messier, Wayne Gretzky, and Adam Graves, just to name a few.
3. Chris Kreider and Ryan McDonagh Give Us Hope
The 2015 playoffs started off with a bang as the Rangers ousted the Pittsburgh Penguins in five games.
Confidence was high and the Rangers were licking their chops as they once again would face their rival Washington Capitals in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Those good feelings vanished in a four game span, and the Rangers were down three games to one in a scenario that is familiar to Ranger fans.
And it wasn’t looking any better for the Blueshirts in game 5 when the Captials held a 1-0 lead with only 1:41 remaining in the third period.
That is when Chris Kreider decided to take matters into his own hands:
Kreider’s late third period goal gave the Rangers and their fans hope, and Ryan McDonagh would make the magic stick in the first overtime:
2. Rangers Come Back From 3-1 Down…Again
The chances of a hockey team coming back to win a playoff series when down three games to one are extremely low.
Unless you are the New York Rangers of course.
During their (almost) magical Stanley Cup run of the 2013-2014 season, the Rangers were faced with what seemed like an insurmountable task:
Win three straight games to beat the hot Pittsburgh Penguins.
Ironically the Rangers would face a similar fate just a year later, in the same semi-final round.
The Washington Capitals looked almost unbeatable at times in the series. They were fast, physical, and dangerous in the Rangers zone.
The Caps power play was dangerous too, but the iron-clad will of the New York Rangers would not go away.
The Rangers would face elimination three times, and would finish another magical comeback because of number 21.
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