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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: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Slumping Scoring

Having an elite goaltender isn’t enough to win consistently in the playoffs. New York has had that for years in Henrik Lundqvist, but guess how many Cups they’ve won. While having one certainly helps prevent goals, they can’t score goals. To win the Stanley Cup, teams have to be able to do both. The Rangers have been struggling to do so lately and that should be concerning. Specifically, they haven’t been getting production out of guys who they need to get production out of.

The playoff struggles of forward Rick Nash are well known. While he is a very good two-way player even when he’s not scoring, Nash is New York’s sole dynamic offensive weapon. Without him scoring (three points in his last 10 games), New York becomes limited on offense.

Usually Mats Zuccarello can step it up. The diminutive forward had a career year during the regular season, but he has struggled in the playoffs with just six goals and 22 points in 43 games. He’ll have to be far better than that if the Rangers want to win. Center Derick Brassard has been struggling with just one goal in his last five regular season games.

New York will need guys like J.T. Miller, Derek Stepan, and Kevin Hayes to score if Nash and Brassard can’t get out of their slumps. Stepan is a proven performer in the playoffs, but Miller (one point in last five regular season games) and Hayes (two points in last five games) are not.

Next: 3. Questionable Coaching Decisions

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