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NHL Playoffs: 5 reasons why New York Rangers won’t win Stanley Cup

By Dave Stevenson

May 29, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) reacts on the bench with teammates Tanner Glass (15) , Kevin Klein (8) and Dan Girardi (5) as the Rangers play with an empty net against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period in game seven of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
May 29, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) reacts on the bench with teammates Tanner Glass (15) , Kevin Klein (8) and Dan Girardi (5) as the Rangers play with an empty net against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period in game seven of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Kirk Irwin/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Kirk Irwin/Getty Images /

4. Injuries

Recently New York has been bitten by the injury bug. Forward Eric Staal, who New York paid a hefty price for at the trade deadline, should be fine after missing some time. However, that will likely not be the case with defensemen Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi.

McDonagh is one of their most important players because he plays during all situations. Keith Yandle might be more offensively gifted, but McDonagh is not far behind him and he is superior defensively. However, his injury report this season reads like an anatomy book, suffering from a concussion, a neck/jaw injury, and most recently a hand injury.

It will be very difficult, if not impossible, for the Rangers blue liner to be effective if he can’t use both of his hands properly. Lest anyone think that he isn’t tough enough to play through injury, keep in mind that he played game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals with a broken foot.

Dan Girardi will likely be back in time for game one against the Penguins after battling an upper body injury. Still, his health has to be called into question. Even if he was 100% healthy, his speed is a liability. Anything that hampers him further has to be considered a huge liability.

Brady Skjei will be expected to replace McDonagh. Skjei is quite talented and has all the physical tools needed to be at worst a second pairing defenseman in the NHL. Asking him to replace McDonagh is likely asking far too much from a prospect.

Next: #3: Slumping Scoring

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