Rangers Gear Up for a Real Shot at Stopping the Avalanche
So, let’s talk about this matchup between the New York Rangers and the Colorado Avalanche — a game that’s got plenty of people talking, especially with the Avs rolling into Madison Square Garden as one of the league’s hottest teams. Colorado’s record looks intimidating on paper, but as some analysts have pointed out, beating them isn’t impossible. In fact, there are more than a few signs that the Rangers might actually be catching them at just the right time.
Just a couple of days ago, the Islanders — yes, the struggling Islanders — handed Colorado a pretty humbling 6-3 loss. They didn’t just beat the Avalanche; they completely disrupted stars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, showing everyone that with the right pressure and disciplined forechecking, Colorado can be thrown off rhythm. That game is now being reviewed almost like a how-to manual for anyone preparing to play the Avs.
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For the Rangers, there are a few points of emphasis that have been suggested. First, the power play has been a headache, especially when that experimental five-forward setup keeps failing. One idea floating around is replacing one of those forwards with Slava Gavrikov. He’s been eager, he shoots, and he can stabilize the top unit—especially if he’s studying the playmaking calmness of someone like Adam Fox on video beforehand.
There’s also a sense that certain players need a spark. Alexis Lafrenière has had these stretches where he drifts out of games, and there’s this running joke about keeping No-Doz pills nearby just to keep him tuned in. If that doesn’t work, well… the bench might be calling. On the flip side, the “Crash Line” of Noah Laba, Will Cuylle, and Brett Berard has been buzzing lately, so it would make sense to lean on them a little more, especially in a high-energy matchup like this.
And then there’s J.T. Miller. He’s been given the captain’s “C,” but the expectation is that he leads — not coasts. Sometimes even something as small as polishing that letter on his sweater can be a reminder of what’s required.
Meanwhile, Colorado still comes in loaded. MacKinnon is leading the league in practically everything, Makar is putting up elite numbers from the blue line, and Martin Necas has quietly climbed into the top ten in scoring. The Avs also score huge in third periods and generally handle the first game of back-to-backs very well.
But the Rangers aren’t exactly limping into this one. They just beat Ottawa 4-2, with Panarin, Zibanejad, Gavrikov and others contributing. Panarin still drives the offense above Penn Station, Zibanejad’s goal scoring is trending up again, and even the depth lines are producing.
So as the puck drops at MSG, this won’t feel like a lost cause at all. The Avalanche may be elite, but they’ve shown cracks. The Rangers only need to step through them — and with Igor Shesterkin in net, well, that part hardly needs explanation.
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