1. BEST GOALIE: Igor Shesterkin is super motivated to become the highest-paid player in the league. At this (short) point in time there is none superior to the Rapid Russian.
2. BEST LEADER: Despite past media-managerial troubles, captain Jacob Trouba is performing as well as he was in his prime. He’s determined to enhance his leadership role.
3. BEST DEFENSE: Even with the absence of strong-willed Ryan Lindgren, coach Peter Laviolette has a potential Norris Trophy-winner in Adam Fox and potential rookie-of-the-year in Victor Mancini. The D-depth is scary.
4. BEST FORWARDS: Led by the likes of Artemi Panarin, Alexis Lafreniere, Chris Kreider, Vincent Trocheck and a revived Mika Zibanejad, the offense is strong right through four-liners.
5. BEST SPECIAL TEAMS: The power play is a threat every time it is on the ice and when Jimmy Vesey recovers from his injury the PK will be A-1.
6. BEST ODDS: It’s going on 31 years since the last Rangers Stanley Cup. This lineup should win another Presidents’ Trophy and – Stanley Cup Or Bust! – go all the way to the Champagne.
7. BEST AT OUTWITTING THE MEDIA: NY Post Hall of Fame hockey wizard Larry Brooks recently worried about the Rangers “Playing With Fire.” Brooks perceived defensive weaknesses as forwards and backliners. As The Maven noted, it was a false alarm. What I see is not the Blueshirts playing with fire, the sizzling hot Rangers ARE ON FIRE!
