Season Update 1: 5-0

(This blog will do 'large' updates every 5 games)

Even though there's a bittersweet taste to go along with it, the Rangers are 5-0 and off to their best start since 1983.

But in the face of Prospect Alexei Cherepanov's death yesterday, the Rangers came out and stuck it to the rival New Jersey Devils, defeating them 4-1. With that win, the Rangers pushed their record to 5-0 - perfection in this early season.

In the early goings, the Rangers have racked up wins over the Tampa Bay Lightning (both games 2-1), the Chicago Blackhawks (4-2), the Philadelphia Flyers (4-3), and the Devils (4-1). That's 4 Eastern Conference opponents and 2 Atlantic Division opponents.

Exactly how you want to start a season, no?

So far, the Rangers have proven the critics wrong. Continuing the existing trend of smart, defensive hockey, the Rangers have infused a quicker, more relentless offensive attack lead by rising young stars and proven veterans.

The Blueshirts have outscored their opponents 16-8, and they've outshot their opponents 161-126; however, the Rangers have been outshot in all of the games except the Tampa Bay series, where the shot differential was heavily in favor of New York. The offensive attack has been much more effective this year, with the second line (Zherdev-Dubinsky-Voros) contributing the most.

The offseason additions of Redden, Nasland, Zherdev, Kalinin, and Voros now appear to be free-agent gems. The losses of Jagr, Avery, Straka, and Shanahan don't sting quite as badly as they did before. Voros has already contributed 7 points (3G, 4A, with two goals on the power play) and 9 PIM. The shoes of Sean Avery have apparently been filled, complete with the pestering of Martin Brodeur (minus stick waving, of course). Linemate Zherdev has contributed 5 points (2G, 3A), first-liner Naslund has 4 (1G, 3A), and star D-man Redden has 3 (2G, 1A, 1 goal on the powerplay). Kalinin has been a solid defensive force, making good plays on the third unit.

Add to that the success of returning 2nd line center Brandon Dubinsky (3G, 4A), defenseman Dan Girardi (0G, 5A), and 1st line center Scott Gomez (1G, 3A), and you have a very productive Rangers offense. The first line has yet to click as expected, but Drury, Gomez, and Naslund are looking more comfortable together with each game. Even the 3rd and 4th lines are contributing, with Betts, Callahan, Orr, and Sjostrom all contributing points.

Even more impressive than the offense have been the play of Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers special teams units. The powerplay has converted 20.8% of its chances, and the penalty kill has been perfect so far. And of course, the King has ascended his throne, taking over where he left off last year. Lundqvist has won all 4 of his matches, posting a GAA of 1.25 and a Sv% of .949. Very impressive numbers, even this early in the season.

Looking back to last year, Lundqvist had posted an equally impressive start to the season. The difference was the team around him. Now, he's surrounded by a more experienced defense, one that's not afraid to step up and make a hit, but also one that's not afraid to move the puck up ice. The offense in front of him is much more balanced, combining talent on all 4 lines with a solid, smart system implemented by coach Tom Renney.

Though the season is very young, the Rangers should undoubtedly continue proving the critics wrong. Will they win every game? No way. It's hockey, and a loss is bound to come soon. But can they keep the momentum going? I believe so.

The Rangers are a team with great talent, bolstered by a solid system and excellent chemistry. If the pieces continue to fall right, don't count the Blueshirt out of a Stanley Cup discussion.

Stars of the Games (1-5)

1st Star
Henrik Lundqvist (4-0, 1.25, .949%)

Expected solid play has Rangers off to great start

2nd Star
Brandon Dubinsky (3G, 4A, +2, 11PIM)

Rising star stepping up as leader all over ice (see fight v. Mike Richards)

3rd Star
Aaron Voros (3G, 4A, +2, 9PIM)

Pleasant surprise from offseason; looking like a real contributor

Biggest Spark
2nd Line
Voros, Dubinsky, and Zherdev have combined for 8 goals and 11 assists

Biggest Dud
Chris Drury
The newly anointed Captain has only registered 1 assist and a -1 rating so far.

Next Five Games: vs. Sabres, vs. Maple Leafs, @ Red Wings, vs. Stars, @ Blue Jackets

More on Alexei

Latest news on Alexei Cheperanov:

"Russian investigators said Cherepanov suffered from chronic ischemia, a medical condition in which not enough blood gets to the heart or other organs.

Pavel Krasheninnikov, who sits on the Russian Hockey Federation's supervisory council and is a member of the State Duma, said there was no ambulance on duty at the arena where Cherepanov's Russian team, Avangard Omsk, was playing.

He asserted that emergency workers took too long to respond and didn't have a defibrillator, a machine used to shock the heart. It was unclear how much time it took paramedics to respond.

"There are elements of negligence here," Krasheninnikov said in televised comments."
http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/8672210/Rangers%27-prospect-Cherepanov-dies-in-Russia

R.I.P. Alexei Cherepanov

Sad news today out of Russia for the Rangers and the hockey world as a whole.

19 year old Rangers prospect Alexei Cherepanov died Monday night of a heart attack during a game for Avangard Omsk.

Cherepanov was the Rangers first round draft pick (17th overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. He was considered one of the Rangers top prospects and an exceptionally talented forward, already making large strides in Russia.

Further information has not yet been released.

R.I.P. Alexei Cherepanov

Coming soon...

Coming soon will be real updates. I swear.

Just quickly...

The Rangers are off to a 4-0 start, sweeping the Lightning in Prague and rattling off consecutive wins against Chicago and division-rival Philadelphia.

The team looks energized and rejuvenated, the right combination of speed, grit, and skill. For all the critics questioning the team's chemistry and talent level, they're sure being proven wrong thus far. Voros has impressed me greatly thus far, as has Zherdev. The Drury-Gomez-Naslund line should start clicking more soon, and when it does, they should put up goals in bunches. The 3rd and 4th lines also boast some above-average talent, making the Rangers a deep and deadly team. Incredible special teams play, solid defense, the standard goaltending prowess, and a quick offensive attack have all contributed to a great start for the Blueshirts.

Yes, it's early in the season, and there's still plenty of hockey to be played. But if the Rangers can keep this up, they certainly deserve to be in the conversation for the Stanley Cup.

More to come soon.