Brad Penner-Imagn ImagesHold on to you Champagne; the New York Rangers have not won the Stanley Cup. Not even the Dunkin' Donuts Cup.
Beating a team like Nashville, which flew to New York on a wing and a prayer, is virtually an NHL freebie two points; take 'em and get outa town.
The town in question is Tampa Bay where the 8-5-2 Lightning have become electric after a dubious start of the season. The Bolts host The Beloveds tomorrow night.
"The Rangers have not beaten a truly good team so far," says The Old Scout, "so the Lightning will provide a good test."
While beating the Predators – as New York did last night – might be brushed off as a "no-meaning" match, a couple of positives from the win command respect.
TERRIFIC TROCHECK: As The Maven has been warbling for weeks, the Rangers will not look like a team until Vinnie The Vanguard returns to the lineup. That he did last night, and he immediately made a difference. "He's such an important player," says coach Mike Sullivan, "because of his leadership and demeanor."
THE KID: Promoted from Hartford, Gabe Perreault was a ferret on the spoor of a hot puck. He assisted on Lafrenière's power-play goal and sped over the ice like a motivated 20-year-old should.
When I ask my super bird dog Lloyd MacKay to assess the Blueshirt machine, he reports that it needs no fixin' because it ain't broke.
"Personnel-wise, the Rangers are a strong team," says MacKay. "The additions have been excellent. On defense, Gavrikov consistently does most things right and Sousy may even be better. Borgen and Schneider are solid – with Borgen bringing a lot of physicality."
"Critics might dismiss grunt forwards such as Sam Carrick, Taylor Raddysh and Conor Sheary, but I like Carrick's dynamism; Sheary clearly knows what he's doing and Raddysh already has a hat trick. The third line has been productive, which helps."
MacKay also is bullish about rookie Noah Laba – "he'll be an elite player within the year" – and, to the dismay of naysayers, Lloyd calls Zibanejad the club's "best player overall" since the opener.
Despite all the fussing and fuming over home woes, the Rangers stand 8-7-2 with first place in the crowded division still in view.