Comments on: Comparing current Rangers to the Cup-winning ’94 version http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/16/comparing-current-rangers-to-the-cup-winning-94-version/ ProHockeyTalk on NBCSports.com Wed, 19 Jun 2013 02:26:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: James O'Brien http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/16/comparing-current-rangers-to-the-cup-winning-94-version/comment-page-1/#comment-38521 Fri, 17 Feb 2012 02:15:26 +0000 http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/?p=88344#comment-38521 I initially expected the gap between Richter and Lundqvist to be larger, but relative to goalies in 93-94, Richter was great. Was he great every year or as good as Lundqvist? No, but the gap is smaller than I expected – at least for the season in question.

]]> By: stakex http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/16/comparing-current-rangers-to-the-cup-winning-94-version/comment-page-1/#comment-38511 Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:13:49 +0000 http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/?p=88344#comment-38511 First of all, even as a die hard Rangers fan, I would take Lundquist over Richter ANY day. Richter is the most over rated Rangers player in the history of the organization. He had exactlly ONE good year, and that was when he had a defensive power house in front of him and a coach that was willing to yank him out of the net when he gave up his trademark cheap goals. Even then, his regular season stats weren’t that impressive with a 2.57 GAA and a .910 save percentage. His playoff stats were much better, but again he had an amazing defense in front of him. Id also like to point out that aside from 1994 his playoff stats are awful (he was bellow .900 save % 5 out of 8 years)… so calling him a “money goalie” and saying that Lundquist doesn’t compare is simple BS.

So anyway, whats the big difference between these Rangers and the 1994 Rangers? Easy… this years team is not the last gasp of the great Oiler’s dynasty that won 5 cups in the 1980′s, and they don’t have the second best player (and arguably the best all around player) in history as their captain. This years team just lacks the deep playoff experience that made the 94 Rangers so dangerous. I would also say that the 1994 Rangers were loaded with far more raw talent then the current Rangers which are more of a grinding team. There are some things going for this years Rangers team of course when compared to 94. They are much younger then the 1994 Rangers and thanks to Torts appear to be in better physical shape then most other teams… which could be huge come April. They also have a similar chemistry to the 1994 Rangers, even if they lack the raw talent that team had.

In the end, its hard to compare two teams that played nearly 20 years apart. Its also hard to have a more experienced, and skilled team then the Rangers had in 94. This years team is showing that is capable of winning just like that team… its just doing it a different way.

]]> By: rarelyshaves http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/16/comparing-current-rangers-to-the-cup-winning-94-version/comment-page-1/#comment-38179 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:33:09 +0000 http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/?p=88344#comment-38179 blue line scoring is down universally though. d-men are assist kings nowadays.

i really think that defense wins games in this era, and the rangers are seriously dangerous in that regard. lundqvist is scary good this season as well

i think you sell the current rangers a bit short, they have all around depth… in addition to what i just said, you have to factor in offensive guys like richards and gabs, plus the toughness they have. theyre my hands down pick for the eastern conference

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