It's the samae old question during this time of year in the NHL. Despite injuries, Does each team have what it takes to win the Stanley Cup? For the Rangers, the checklist goes as follows: Goaltending- YES        Defense-Yes      Scoring-MAYBE

The King Henrik Lundqvist is nets has been what is expected from a Vezina Trophy, Hart Trophy, and Pearson/Lindsay Trophy finalist--he has been a backbone of the team. The defense lead by Dan Girardi and Ryan Mcdonagh first pairing is as good as the NHL has. Marc Staal going into last season was an NHL "Shut Down" speacialist until his concussion kept him out and now seems to be back in full form. Add Michael Del Zotto as a partner and you have a teriffic top 4. Coach John Tortorella doesn't have much confidence in the final two with Anton Stralman getting the 5th most time and Stu Bickel getting a few minutes but adding the muscle if needed. I wouldn't be surprised to see Steve Eminger added to the lineup at any time. 

Up front the Rangers need the scorers to score. They play an upbeat system when at their best with the speddsters like Marian Gaborik, Carl Hagelin, and Chris Kreider making the opposing defense to always be aware of the stretch pass to allow any of these 3 for a clear breakaway. In the first round, between Brian Boyle's concussion and Carl Hagelin's suspension, the Rangers front lines were a patchwork. Now that all are healthy(for the moment) and able to have a day off between games, they can get into a rythym. The scoring line of Carl Hagelin-Brad Richards-Marian Gaborik seems to getting back to doing it's thing---SCORING. The line that most intrigues is the Chris Kreider--Derek Stepan--Ryan Callahan(USA Olympic Line). That line combination of Kreider and Stepan won the gold medal in the Jr. Worlds with the third player being Rangers prospect Ryan Bourque. The checking line of Brian Boyle centering Artem Anisimov and Ruslan Fedetenko seems to be coach John Tortorella's combination as he feels he knows he can trust Fedetenko from his past history between the two of them in Tampa. It would seem that the Boyle/Prust combination from the past would easily lead to a more natural knowledge of where each other will be on the ice, but Tort's is the Jack Adams finalist for the NHL coach of the year so who is to argue the point. The 4th line is just a to rest a tired team of Mike Rupp-John Mitchell-Brandon Prust.

GAME 4 in the AFTERNOON on NBC!!!!  RANGERS ARE IN FLIGHT, AFTERNOON DELIGHT!!!!!!!

LET'S GO RANGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!