Team MVP Henrik Lundqvist - G The R..."/> Team MVP Henrik Lundqvist - G The R..."/>
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New York Rangers 2015-16 NHL Preview

By Josh Hill

Nov 23, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) during the second period against the Montreal Canadiens at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) during the second period against the Montreal Canadiens at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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5. player. 95. <p class=. Metropolitan. Eastern Conference. New York Rangers

Team MVP

Henrik Lundqvist – G

The Rangers season is going to hinge on what it always hinges on, how well Henrik Lundqvist can stop the bleeding. New York needs to find a way to get Henrik some help defensively, as that’s what ended up killing the Rangers in the postseason in back-to-back years. Lundqvist can only do so much and take this team so far, but he’s the reason they’re a contender this season — and really any season. It’s all about what the Rangers can put around him that will tell us how good they’ll be.

May 19, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) makes a save against Montreal Canadiens defenseman Andrei Markov (79) during the third period in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
May 19, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) makes a save against Montreal Canadiens defenseman Andrei Markov (79) during the third period in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports /

Best Case Scenario

The Rangers won’t be President Cup winners again this year, but they’ll be a Top 3 team in the East regardless. There’s basically no way they can lose the Metro division as long as Washington doesn’t finally figure things out and go on a run. Pittsburgh isn’t a threat to win the division, and the Isles aren’t going to surge to the top of the Metro this season.

What the Rangers are looking at, realistically, is a season that ends with a top seed in the East and another deep run in the postseason. We could very well be gearing up for another Conference Finals showdown between Montreal and New York, but don’t be surprised if the Rangers make it to the Stanley Cup for the second time in three years.

Worst Case Scenario

The problem with the Rangers is that they need to get some help for Henrik defensively, something that if not rectified could do the team. The worst case scenario is an injury to an aged Lundqvist, or another significant loss like we saw with Marc Staal a few years ago. New York isn’t a totally new team, but they’re missing pieces like Carl Hagelin who is probably the fastest player in hockey and was a huge part of the team last season.

Even if Lundqvist does stay healthy all season, the Rangers need to make sure they give him the defensive support to offset the possibility of not being able to give him goal support New York needs to manufacture this year. If things go south, it’s very possible that they make the postseason as a 6-seed and have to claw their way back to the Conference Finals.

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