The New York Rangers learned a lot from their 2022 postseason run and perhaps they overachieved, that experience, along with necessary changes, has them truly contending for a Stanley Cup.
In April of 2022, the New York Rangers' goal was to win a playoff series, but we've learned that a lot can change in a year. Now, in April of 2023, the goal has become to win the ultimate prize, the Stanley Cup.
At this time last season, the narrative around the Rangers was finding out what kind of playoff team they are with all of the young talents on the roster that had yet to experience postseason hockey.
The narrative has since changed now that this group has an Eastern Conference Finals under their belt, and despite being the third seed in the Metropolitan division, the expectations are through the roof.
No Quit In New York Adding Patrick Kane, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Tyler Motte at the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline has formed this Rangers team into an offensive juggernaut, but playoff hockey isn't all about the flashiness and highlight-reel plays.
During last year's playoff run, the team embraced the saying "No Quit in New York", and as great as that was, there is a certain feeling behind it that they weren't in control, but instead, they had to keep climbing their way back.
Don't forget, the Rangers didn't have a series lead until the Eastern Conference Finals. They came all the way back from down 3-1 against the Penguins and they were able to take games six and seven against the Hurricanes after trailing 2-0 and 3-2.
So, for the 2023 postseason, how can this group come out and establish its dominance early?
It's hard to argue that there is a better top-six group of forwards than that of the Rangers.
Zibanejad hit the 90-point plateau for the first time in his career, Panarin has put up another 90-point season, a second 70+ point season for Adam Fox, 40 points from K'Andre Miller, and the backbone of this team, Igor Shesterkin, has set a new career-high in wins with 37.
The big guns have performed, but what is going to separate this team from the pack is going to be the play of their third line, more popularly known as "The Kid Line" which is made up of Alexis Lafreniere, Filip Chytil, and Kaapo Kakko.
All three have raised their game and have reached new career highs this season.
As magical as last year's playoff run was, it never truly felt like it was the Rangers' year to win it all. Let's all remember that they hadn't even named a captain.
This year's team might not have the accolades of a 52-goal scorer or a Vezina trophy, but they have leadership, scoring depth, and there is no doubt in my mind that this is a much deeper, more experienced and more importantly, a battle-tested team that knows that they can compete against the best of the best.
What does this Rangers team need to do to win the Stanley Cup?
For starters, they have the physicality on the backend with players like Jacob Trouba, Ryan Lindgren, and K'Andre Miller. That being said, there are some players on the offensive side that I would like to see throw their weight around a little more.
Not knowing they'd be teammates one day, Adam Fox said it best back in 2015 when he tweeted "Kreider is a horse #MeatMarket". Kreider is one of those players that is going to have to be much more physical against a younger, inexperienced team like the Devils. We've also seen Vincent Trocheck get involved in the physical play in spurts throughout the season, specifically in a game against the Penguins back in March.
The Rangers' top six aren't expected to go out and grind, but they need to be able to create scoring chances off of the forecheck and they have to pressure the hell out of their opponents' defense to cause havoc on their breakout.
Last postseason, this group didn't necessarily set the tone or intimidate either of their opponents in rounds one and two, that has to be the biggest difference this time around. Starting with New Jersey, they need to make the Devils adjust to the Rangers' style of play and not the other way around.
With Shesterkin in the net playing at the top of his game, anything is possible with this group.
Top to bottom, this is the most talented New York Rangers roster I have ever seen (remember I was born in 1996). Last postseason they were able to get by, but this year they truly belong.