NHL Metropolitan Division Power Rankings: Capitals Are Elite

Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

NHL Metropolitan Division Power Rankings: #2 – New York Rangers

The New York Rangers are coming off a season that saw them go all the way to the Eastern Conference semifinals. They lost several important players during the offseason. Goaltender Cam Talbot got traded to the Edmonton Oilers. Forward Martin St. Louis retired. Forward Carl Hagelin got traded to the Anaheim Ducks. The Rangers find themselves in a great position despite those losses with a record of 6-2-2.

Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist looks as outstanding as he’s ever looked. Goaltender Antti Raanta has been excellent so far as King Henrik’s backup. Perhaps they won’t miss Cam Talbot as much as people thought? Their team has scored 28 goals through their first ten games. Oscar Lindberg has done a fantastic job so far for the Rangers. He’s been the shot of energy that the Rangers needed after losing Hagelin. They are similar players (though Lindberg is more talented).

Forward Rick Nash has had a rough start to the season with just one goal in ten games. Mats Zuccarello has been helping make up for Nash’s lack of scoring. So has J.T. Miller. The Rangers are going to be a darn good team. Expect to see them advance to the playoffs.

RELATED: Scouting The Rangers

Their weakness? Their puck possession has been poor. Their even strength score-adjusted CF% through nine games was 48.9%. That’s 20th in the NHL. They are a kind of team that can survive with subpar possession numbers thanks to Henrik and their fast forwards. It’s worth keeping an eye on.

Next: #1: Washington Capitals