The 2022-23 New York Rangers season and playoffs brought many highs along with some lows, but these five moments felt like there was something magical happening as we were witnessing them.
Let's get into this countdown right away, starting with number five.
5: The Jacob Trouba Helmet Toss.
There aren't many seasons that have a singular moment that turns the entire direction of the team around, but I think it was evident that had this not happened, the season could have spiraled in a completely different direction. Going into that game against the Chicago Blackhawks on December 3rd, 2022, the Rangers had lost four out of their five previous games. They were down 3-0 at this moment and there was dead silence throughout Madison Square Garden.
Trouba saw an opportunity to flip a switch as he caught Andreas Athanasiou with his head down skating through the middle of the ice. He through a massive, completely clean, open-ice hit which then led to an absolute donnybrook at center ice, resulting in Trouba throwing his helmet and screaming at the Rangers bench to wake up as he skated off to the locker room.
This moment changed the whole course of the season.
4: Vladimir Tarasenko's Goal Minutes Into His Debut As A Ranger.
Sam Rosen said it perfectly in the clip above in his call saying "It's Tarasenko, from Panarin, it's magic!". That's exactly what this moment felt like at the time. The Rangers had finally found the goal-scorer that they had been searching for when they traded for Tarasenko at the deadline and it only took him two minutes and forty-nine seconds to find the back of the net.
It was an emotional night not only for Ranger fans but for Tarasenko himself as he heard Madison Square Garden chanting his name throughout the entire evening.
Seeing Tarasenko succeed in the Red, White, and Blue was a special feeling.
3: Patrick Kane's Goal in Game 2 Against the Devils.
When the Rangers added Patrick Kane at the deadline there was a complete split in how Ranger fans were feeling. One side felt that the Rangers didn't need him and were questioning whether he'd be able to contribute to a playoff run with all of the rumors about his hip. While the other side felt that adding a guy with experience like Kane and his playmaking ability could only be a positive for this squad.
Kane got a lot of criticism for his lack of defense, so seeing him make a great defensive play, finishing it on the offensive end while mixing in a vintage Kane celebration was such an incredible moment. Unfortunately, after this goal, it felt like there was no way that the Devils could come back and win the series as the Rangers were on the verge of a commanding 2-0 lead, but we all know how that played out.
This moment was special.
2: Alexis Lafreniere Overtime Goal Against the Flames.
This Rangers vs. Flames game was one of the best regular-season hockey games that I have watched in a very long time. This game was completely back and forth, the Rangers had two separate one-goal leads but found themselves trailing 4-3 in the late minutes of the third period.
This game had everything. Goal scoring, hitting, fights, you name it.
Mika Zibanejad was able to tie the game with a little more than seven minutes remaining, setting up this incredible moment for the Rangers youngster in overtime.
Rangers fans are dying to see Lafreniere succeed and for him to put the cherry on top of this completely chaotic night as Madison Square Garden was the perfect culmination.
1: K'Andre Miller's Tying Goal and Adam Fox's Overtime Winner Against the Stars.
This may have just been a meaningless regular season game in the middle of January against the non-conference opponent, but the Rangers had been pressing the entire night, they just couldn't seem to find a way to beat the Stars goaltender, Jake Oettinger.
After possessing the puck in the offensive zone for the last minute or so, K'Andre Miller was finally able to put the puck in the back of the net with seconds to spare, resulting in an all-time Madison Square Garden roar.
The Rangers would carry that momentum into overtime, when Adam Fox made a phenomenal read, like he typically does, on what appeared to be a broken play at the top of Oettinger's crease. Fox showed incredible patience, going from his forehand to his backhand, getting Oettinger out of position to then score the game-winner in overtime for the Rangers.
That was as loud as I have heard the world's most famous arena erupt in quite some time.
These moments are the reason why we all fall in love with this sport and I look forward to the memories that will be created this coming season.