The NHL season is a marathon, not a sprint for the New York Rangers.
A long, long time ago, one of my MSG Networks producers pulled me aside after I had criticized one of the Blueshirts.
"Remember, Stan," he said, "the season is a marathon, not a sprint. Guys you might rip tonight could come back and star in the next game."
I never forgot that warning and it comes to mind now that I'm reminded how -- not that long ago -- The Maven was down on Igor Shesterkin.
Nor did I forget the wise guy verbal arrows aimed at Marvelous Mika Zibanejad and, yeah, there once were knocks galore over K'Andre Miller's erratic defense work.
Some fans even had the temerity to suggest that Iggy be traded. Ditto for Miller and our nicely revived Kaapo Kakko.
The point is clear: patience IS a virtue, more so in the NHL. Being patient we have seen each of the above Blueshirts get their game together; part of the combined surge that has prevented the Hurricanes from catching the first placers from Seventh Avenue.
Miller, in particular, has shown that he can excel without his injured partner, Jacob Trouba. KK simply needs not be rushed; he's coming along just fine.
And you know all about the rest.
Mel Brooks once said in his History Of The World, Part One, "It's great being king."
Peter Laviolette could rightfully proclaim: "It's great being on top!"