The New York Rangers are finally showing signs of life after one of their worst slumps in recent memory.
It wasn’t supposed to be this way. After dominating last season and nearly making it to the Stanley Cup Finals, the Rangers looked ready to make another deep playoff run.
They started strong, going 12-4-1 out of the gate. Then everything fell apart.
From mid-November through December, the Rangers went into a stunning free fall, winning just 4 of 19 games. For one of hockey’s proudest franchises, it was a nightmare stretch that had fans wondering what had happened to their team.
But the new year has brought new hope. The Rangers have gone 5-1-2 since January began, including impressive wins over defending champion Las Vegas and rival New Jersey.
So what changed? For starters, coach Peter Laviolette went back to basics with the team’s defense, returning to last year’s successful 1-3-1 system. But the bigger shift has been in attitude.
After spending weeks seemingly lost without veteran leaders Barclay Goodrow and Jacob Trouba, the Rangers have found their swagger again. They’re attacking more aggressively, forechecking with energy, and playing as a complete unit from defense to offense.
The team’s fourth line has been leading this resurgence. Sam Carrick, Adam Edstrom, and Matt Rempe (who rotates in and out of the lineup) have been absolutely relentless. Edstrom and Rempe use their massive size to pressure opponents, while Carrick plays much bigger than his 6-foot frame.
Carrick’s been particularly hot lately. He’s earned more ice time, including spots on penalty kills and in overtime. Though he’s never been a big scorer, he’s racked up 5 points in his last 4 games. His biggest moment? Scoring the overtime winner against the Devils.
He even managed to skate past superstar defenseman Cale Makar for a short-handed goal against Colorado – not bad for a fourth-line player.
