James Dolan, The Chairman of Madison Square Garden, had some comments after the New York Rangers 3-0 win over Nashville last Tuesday night.
Dolan made a rare appearance in front of the New York Media and told them he thought The Rangers are in his mind "Stanley Cup Title Material."
I found this interesting for a couple reasons. One, Dolan hasn't talked to the hockey writers who cover the Rangers in years and two, New York had yet to play Detroit, Chicago, or Boston this season. All three I'm sure will have a say in whether or not the Rangers are cup material.
On Saturday New York traveled to Boston for the first of four meetings with the Bruins and I was curious to see how the Rangers would play against the defending Stanley Cup champions with Dolan's comments coming five days earlier.
Turns out Dolan may actually be right.
The Rangers defeated the Bruins 3-2 in overtime on Saturday in one of the more entertaining games I have seen all year. Both teams traded goals in the 2nd period before Marian Gaborik scored the game winner in overtime with only seconds to play.
Now granted one game doesn't define what will happen the rest of the season. These teams play each other three more times and I wouldn't be surprised if the Bruins won all three games.
But the Bruins are a big physical team that skates well and can out muscle their opposition. I wanted to see if the Rangers could stand up to them. For one game the answer is yes.
When I look at the Rangers roster, I keep thinking they are one player away from being a legit Stanley Cup contender. Whether that player is a wing who can score or another defenseman to add some depth I'm not sure.
I do know that former Wild GM Doug Risebrough was at Xcel Energy Center on Saturday night scouting for the Rangers. And I do know the two teams he was watching, Dallas and Minnesota have defenseman that could be available at the trade deadline.
Whether New York GM Glen Sather makes any moves to his teams roster remains to be seen but after Saturday's game the Rangers have earned the right to be in the discussion of Stanley Cup contenders.
New York has four good lines that can skate, A group of defenseman they can put on the ice in any situation, a goalie in Henrik Lundqvist, who is one of if not the best in the NHL, and a coach who knows what it takes to win the Stanley Cup.
If Dolan is correct there will be a ticker tape parade on Broadway this summer.
Here is the Power Poll for Week 14.
1. Detroit 32-15-1 65 points
Red Wings defenseman have scored 32 goals this season, most in the NHL.
2. N.Y. Rangers 30-12-4 64 points
While James Dolan may think the Rangers are Stanley Cup Material coach John Tortorella disagrees.
3. Boston 31-13-2 64 points
Bruins are 24-0 this season when leading a game by two or more goals.
4. Vancouver 29-15-4 62 points
Canucks are 6-0 in games after losing two straight.
5. Chicago 29-14-6 64 points
Jonathan Toews listed as day to day with an upper body injury after leaving in the 2nd period against Nashville on Saturday.
6. St. Louis 29-12-6 64 points
Blues can take over 1st place in the NHL with a win over Detroit tonight.
7. Philadelphia 28-14-5 61 points
Scott Hartnell leads the NHL in Power Play goals with 13.
8. Nashville 28-16-4 60 points
Predators are 9-2-2 against the Central Division after 5-2 win over Chicago
9. Pittsburgh 27-17-4 58 points
Evgeni Malkin has scored nine goals during his current six game scoring streak.
10. Ottawa 27-17-6 60 points
Senators haven't allowed more than two goals in their last seven games.
11. San Jose 26-14-5 57 points
Sharks have played in 45 games, fewest of any team in the NHL this season.
12. New Jersey 26-19-2 54 points
Alex Ponikarovsky, acquired in a trade from Carolina scores in his 1st game as a Devil.
13. Colorado 26-22-2 54 points
Avalanche are 6 for 46 on the Power Play in their last 17 games.
14. Washington 25-19-3 53 points
Alex Ovechkin scores three points (1G, 2A) in a loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday.
15. Los Angeles 23-16-10 56 points
The line of Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown, & Justin Williams has 10 goals and 13 assists in the last seven games.
16. Toronto 23-19-5 51 points
Maple Leafs have lost four of their last five games and have scored only 9 goals along the way.
17. Minnesota 23-18-7 53 points
Congrats to Chad Rau on scoring his 1st goal. A game winner no less over Dallas.
18. Dallas 24-21-2 50 points
Stars fans can thank Steve Ott for the loss to Minnesota on Saturday night.
19. Calgary 23-20-6 52 points
Anytime Lee Stempniak gets a hat trick on Hockey Night In Canada there will be video posted here.
20. Florida 22-15-10 54 points
4-3 shootout win over Winnipeg snaps an eight game losing streak for the Panthers.
21. Winnipeg 22-20-6 50 points
Jets have lost seven of their last nine games.
22. Tampa Bay 20-23-4 44 points
Despite struggles this season, Steve Yzerman vowing not to stray away from long term plan.
23. Phoenix 21-20-8 50 points
Coyotes are winless in their last three games. (0-2-1)
24. Buffalo 19-24-5 43 points
Owner Terry Pegula is blaming injuries for the Sabres struggles this season. Watching this teams over the last couple games it's more than injuries.
25. N.Y. Islanders 19-21-6 44 points
Evgeni Nabokov (3-0-0, 97.8 save %, 0.65 GAA) named NHL 3rd star of the week.
26. Anaheim 18-22-7 43 points
Ducks are 8-1-1 in the month of January.
27. Montreal 18-21-9 45 points
Canadiens are 5-9-2 since Randy Cunneyworth took over as interim coach.
28. Carolina 17-24-9 43 points
The trade of Ponikarovsky to New Jersey signals the Hurricanes are open for business on the trade market.
29. Edmonton 17-26-4 38 points
Oilers are 2-7-1 in their last ten games. Could this spell the end of Tom Renney as head coach?
30. Columbus 13-28-6 32 points
With the Blue Jackets out of the playoff picture rumors circulate about the possibility of Jeff Carter being available.
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