Does any Rangers fan still not want Rick Nash? After showing lukewarm interest when the winger played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, most if not all of the Rangers' supporters must be head over heels in love. When Nash plays, the Rangers own a 13-6-1 record and look to be an elite team. When he left the lineup with what most assume was a concussion, the Rangers went 0-3-1. He has scored at least a point, including five goals, in the six games since his return and has a personal point streak of 10 games (seven goals and nine assists).
With Nash back at full strength, the Rangers can do little wrong. They have gone 3-1 in their last four games, coming back from a goal down against the Flyers, Islanders and Capitals. They lost to the Senators, 3-2, but not before rallying from two goals down. Halfway through the 48-game schedule, they sit in eighth place in the Eastern Conference. But they do have at least one game in hand on almost everyone above them.
The Good: Offensively, the Rangers find themselves as healthy as they have been all season. Brad Richards, hurt last Sunday after being crosschecked into the boards, returned in Friday's loss and has two goals in his last two games. Michael Del Zotto is back from a hip injury and is a cog on a power play that is suddenly effective if not dangerous. (The Rangers have a power-play goal in eight of their last 12 games, and Del Zotto has three assists in his last five.)
Even Martin Biron got into the act, stopping 28 shots while filling in for Henrik Lundqvist against Washington on Sunday. He let in a soft goal early, causing head coach John Tortorella to wonder if he might allow "seven or eight." But he settled down and made some critical saves during a Capitals 5-on-3 power play.
The Bad: Even though they have won five of six, the Rangers have endured sluggish starts in their last four games. Three times, they recovered, but they might find things a little more relaxed if they didn't have to bounce back so often. The Islanders and Capitals both came out with much more energy before succumbing. Against the Flyers, the Rangers took three offensive-zone penalties. On two of the resulting power plays, the Flyers made the Rangers pay. That said, the Rangers turned things around and bossed each game. Even Tortorella said he was happy with their responses.
The Ugly: Nash, Richards and Del Zotto may all be healthy and effective, but Marc Staal took a puck to the face Tuesday against the Flyers. For those that doubt it it hurts, watch Staal writhe in pain on the ice. The injury, which reportedly did not require a trip to the hospital and is not career-threatening, triggered a debate about making visors mandatory (the players union opposes the idea, in part because of extra penalties assessed for fighting with visors). Nevertheless, given the chances of serious injury, risking an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty might be the smart move.
Up Next: With the Big East tournament coming to Madison Square Garden, the Rangers stay on the road for their next three games, facing off against the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday, the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday, and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday.
