The New York Rangers are on a season-high six-game winning streak and have received contributions from all over.
It’s amazing that this Rangers team started off 3-7-2 looking at them now at 9-7-3.
This week wasn’t an easy one for the Blueshirts, who were facing three of the NHL’s best goaltenders in Sergei Bobrovsky, Tuukka Rask, and Cam Talbot. Despite that, the Rangers were still able to score 13 goals in three games.
That’s impressive. So are this week’s three stars.
3. Mika Zibanejad
Mika Zibanejad is continuing his impressive season as the team’s number one center, and this week was no different. Zibanjead put up four points in three games this week, including a three assists performance against Columbus for a comeback win.
The three assists against Columbus is what propelled the Ranger to victory as the team needed a spark to get them going. Zibanejad provided that spark and the Rangers came back to win a game that seemed impossible to win.
Zibanejad has turned into the player they thought he could be and he has served as a serviceable replacement for Derek Stepan.
2. Kevin Shattenkirk
With four points this week, Kevin Shattenkirk’s point streak has been extended to seven games.
Kevin Shattenkirk is the type of player the Rangers have wanted for years and now he’s a major part of what the Rangers are trying to do.
Shattenkirk has been masterful at getting the puck on goal which has led to the powerplay becoming a major weapon. It has been a long time since teams feared the Rangers power play, and with Shattenkirk leading the way, teams are focusing on staying out of the penalty box.
1. Pavel Buchnevich
Since being moved from the Rangers fourth line to the first line, Pavel Buchnevich has been a points machine including five this week.
Of his five points, Buchnevich has scored three goals over the Rangers last three games. The 22-year-old has really elevated his game this season and is climbing the leaderboards in the goals department.
Buchnevich’s eight goals have him tied for 17th in the NHL, but that hasn’t been the only positive to his game. His overall game has been something to marvel at and has forced head coach Alain Vigneault to find him more playing time.
Honorable Mentions
- Michael Grabner: Four points in three games
- Rick Nash: Three goals in three games
- Henrik Lundqvist: Winner of six straight games