Keeping Perspective: Your 2013 NHL Season New York Rangers Sanity Guide
The New York Rangers lost their first three games of the 2011-2012 campaign. As expected, a significant portion of the fanbase began to panic. Avery in the minors was the reason the team was failing. Derek Stepan was a one year wonder. John Tortorella needs to be fired. And on and on and on. Even as the team started to win games excuses were being made and people were inventing reasons why everything was a fluke or the team was on the verge of collapse.
Of course, the Rangers managed to finish first in the East, second in the NHL, and made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals. Despite all the early season histerics. Despite the injuries. Despite everything that supposedly was going to hold the Rangers back. The same people who at the beginning of the season were hitting the panic button and calling for trades and firings were later contemplating the banners that were going to be raised to the rafters. So with that in mind, let go through a list of things that will probably occur in some capacity this season. And let's put in perspective that every single team is going to experience similar issues.
1. We're not going to win all 48 games. And we're probably going to endure a slump at some point.
2. Our goaltending (whether Lundqvist or Biron individually or together as a unit) will at some point put together a few games where it is not at its best.
3. At least one of Gaborik, Richards, Nash, and Callahan will endure a slump at some point. Same goes for one of Staal, Del Zotto, McDonagh, and Girardi.
4. At least one of the players mentioned in #3 will suffer a notable injury of some sort as well.
5. At least one of Kreider and Hagelin will likely endure a sophomore (loose use of sophomore in Kreider's case) slump at some point in the season.
6. The powerplay and the penalty kill are going to, at some point in the season, struggle to an extent.
7. We're likely going to blow a lead in a few games.
Again, these are not specific to the Rangers. Even in a shortened season, things are inevitably going to go completely right at certain points while becoming absolutely miserable at other points. We're not going to survive the year without a single injury to an important player. We're not going to endure 48 games without someone of note struggling or underachieving. All 30 teams will have to deal with this. On the other hand, let's not get overly excited over the good things that happen early on, either. Hockey is a sport that inherently brings randomness and parity. If you allow yourself to get overly emotional with every twist and turn then it's just not going to be a pleasant experience. The Los Angeles Kings ,incumbent holders of the Stanley Cup, barely squeeked into the playoffs last season. And the season before that Boston media were discussing the possibility of Claude Julien getting fired halfway through the season. And of course, the Bruins went on to win the Stanley Cup as well. If 20 games into the season Lundqvist can't stop anything, Callahan and Gaborik are out long-term, and we're clinging to the 7th seed then yes, concern is merited. But otherwise, enjoy the ride. Don't get too happy when things are going well and don't get depressed when things aren't. I can promise you we will endure both; that's just the nature of NHL hockey.
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Especially looking at the beginning of the schedule. I wouldn't be surprised to see them 4-3 through the first 7.
I agree with ChrisP. But then, I'm also on medication...
Seriously, having watched the Rangers since 1971, I have witnessed a couple of generations worth of fan craziness (as well as Ranger management craziness), and what I've learned is you can NEVER, EVER be sure of what is going to happen. The seven points Adam makes can easily be doubled in ANY given year. I do, however, agree wholeheartedly with his last three sentences.
That being said, there's no doubt that this year's team is the closest in spirit, the fastest in years, the biggest in a very long time, and the best-coached in decades. Let's go, Rangers!
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This is all rubbish, We are going 48- 0 with 100% PK and 100% PP, hank wont allow a goal, and everyone gets a hat trick per game. DUH
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What a very sane piece, Adam. Not sure what it's doing on this blog, but very sane. lol
@KevinDeLury Just thought I'd bring a modicum of level-headed logic before the tornado of chaos inevitably hits. FIRE AND TRADE EVERYONE!
Agreed. Similarly, the schedule this season is very front loaded, and then balances out in February. The Rangers could come out of the gates playing very solid hockey but be 2-5 or 3-4 on February 1st. Everyone will want to panic, but it will be important not to.
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Agreed, but i'm still going to want to rip my TV off the wall if the lose to the Flyers
