The Unstoppable Rangers Pass Massive Litmus Test, Win 1-0 Over Canes

Everyone knew that this game would be a litmus test for the Rangers. The Hockey News Yearbook picked the Canes to win the 2024 Cup. So, if "The Bible Of Hockey"says so, you gotta believe -- at least -- that Rod Brind'Amour's club has the goods.

INDOMITABLE.

That's The Maven's word for the Barreling Blueshirts after they conquered "The Predicted Stanley Cup-winning Hurricanes." 1-0 last night in Raleigh.

The very learned Adam Fox, who scored the lone goal, dipped into his Webster's Dictionary for his preferred term.

"HUGE."

That's how the high-scoring blue liner put it.

Even the normally reserved coach Peter Laviolette reached for his copy of Roget's Thesaurus and figures that the way his team won its third in a row deserved:

"AWESOME."

Wordsmith that I am, I'll simply let Igor Shesterkin's shutout and 28 saves speak for themselves. Okay, okay:

OUTSTANDING.

Everyone and your Uncle Dudley knew that this game would be a litmus test of greatness.

The Hockey News Yearbook picked the Canes to win the 2024 Cup. So, if "The Bible Of Hockey"says so, you gotta believe -- at least -- that Rod Brind'Amour's club has the goods.

And, they do since they've been chasing the New Yorkers for first place virtually all season. Not to mention the fact that their two Trade Deadline additions didn't matter to the Rangers.

Even Brind'Amour eulogized his foe. "There's a reason the Rangers are one of the top teams and they showed it."

Fox's game-winner was a one-timer with time running out in the opening period. Once again a potential Norris Trophy-winner, The Long Island native now has 12 points in his last dozen games.

The fact that Lavvy's crew could look fresher than Carolina says plenty about resilience and motivation.

Add to that the absence of captain Jacob Trouba, recovering from injury as well as Wonderboy Matt Rempe who's sitting out his suspension. (More on Rempe in another story.)

CONCLUSION: All hands are on deck; The Rangers know that the "Real Season" is upahead and THAT'S what really will count in the long run. But, if nothing else, they are displaying the brand of determination that will lead them to The Stanley Cup.

The Maven concludes that their theme should be "Stanley Cup Or Bust."

And as I said before, so I'll say it again: they will win the Cup this spring!