New York Rangers preview: Do they just need luck to win it all?
2014-15 results: 53-22-7, first in the Metropolitan
Arrivals: GM Jeff Gorton, LW Emerson Etem (trade from Anaheim Ducks), LW Viktor Stalberg (free agent), G Antti Raanta (trade with Chicago Blackhawks), D Raphael Diaz (free agent)
Departures: LW Carl Hagelin (traded to Anaheim), G Cam Talbot (traded to Edmonton Oilers), RW Martin St. Louis (retired), D Matt Hunwick (signed with Toronto Maple Leafs), James Sheppard (free agent)
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Goaltending: King Henrik Lundqvist (30-13-3, 2.25, .922) rules the goaltending world mostly because he is a model of consistency. Every goalie has periods of uneven performance levels, but Lundqvist has been remarkably consistent through the seasons. Over the past six seasons, his save percentages have been .921, .923, .930, .926, .920 and .922. Over his last four postseason runs, his save percentage has consistently been in the .927 to .934 range. His career goals-against average is 2.26 in the regular season and 2.22 in the post-season. It’s easy for a team to remain as a contender when its goalie is performing at that level.
Analysis: The Rangers have the best combination of goaltending and defense in the Eastern Conference. Their defensive corps, with Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi, Marc Staal, Keith Yandle, Kevin Klein and Dan Boyle, has offensive magic, grit, mental toughness and shot-blocking. The Rangers' only unpredictability is at forward. Will Rick Nash perform as well as he did last season? Do they have enough depth up front? If Kevin Hayes continues his rapid development, this forward group again will be formidable. Gorton inherited a well-constructed team from Sather.
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What advanced stats say: LW Rick Nash ranked third in the NHL with a scoring rate of 2.87 points per game for every 60 minutes played. By comparison, Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby were at 2.39 and 2.38, respectively.
Breakthrough candidate: Etem, 23, could provide the same spark as Hagelin. He can skate and has shown offensive flair, particularly at the AHL level. He just needs to win over coach Alain Vigneault, something he couldn't do with Bruce Boudreau in Anaheim.
Youngster to watch: C Oscar Lindberg, 23, has made the Rangers as a third-liner. The former second-round pick is a skilled finisher who netted 28 goals in 75 games for Hartford in the AHL last season.
What the team really needs: A better power play.The Rangers' 16.8% success rate ranked 21st in the NHL. The Rangers have enough skill to be in the top 10. A full season of Yandle should help.
Key question: Can Raanta fill Talbot’s skates? The decision to trade Talbot couldn’t have been made lightly because of Lundqvist’s age (34 in March). Plus, a good backup can be worth six or eight points in the standings. That could be three places in the Metropolitan Division. Talbot did a commendable job last season when Lundqvist was injured. Raanta seems less proven, but does have a .912 career save percentage.
Forecast: The Rangers have won 39 playoff games over the past four seasons. They might not win the division, but they will be one of the favorites in the postseason.
PHOTOS: Preseason highlights
