Just a mere three weeks ago, just ten games into the season, the Rangers were 3-6-1. Now, as they approach their 20th game, they are tied with the “quick out of the gate” Flyers for first place in the Atlantic Division. They have won 8 of their last ten games and have won 3 on the road. That certainly is some turn around from October 20th when they lost that shoot out in Boston.

The Rangers have continued to play a defensive game. Henrik Lundqvist had been nothing short of phenominal in getting the Rangers to this point. Even though their powerplay and offense continues to struggle, the Rangers have picked up their scoring enough to capitalize on their opportunities.

Scoring opportunites have been coming from all over the ice and from many different sources. Veterans and rookies, forwards and defense, the old and the young. In spite of the fact that the Rangers had a rash of injuries, the team has soldiered on and commited to the defense first strategy that Renney has been preaching.

Everyone has their favorite and everyone has their goat. On any given night, the mantel of greatness and goatness changes hands like the prettiest girl at a square dance. Everyone knows that my favorite player is Brendan Shanahan. Some people will make the requisite “old man lost his shot/step” derogatory comment to get a rise out of me. But after a second shootout where the winner came from Shanahan, I think they might just have to bite their tongues for a bit.

Earlier this week, I was reviled on my favorite message boards for spouting off about the pseudopenalty Gomez got called for in Toronto for roughing Toskola on Saturday. Gomez’ penalty caused a Toronto scoring juggernaut that cost the Rangers the game in regulation. Shanahan then came in and bailed the team out with his shootout goal. (By the way, I am by no means discounting the contribution of our King).

While you cannot deny the facts of that game, Gomez did something last night that nearly brought a tear to my eye. As he came back into the lockerroom after the Rangers victory over the hated Devils at “the Crock”, the first thing he did was to look for his friend, Chris Drury. He went over to the rather sullen looking Drury and gave him a congratulatory bop on the head. Sometimes a gesture is worth a thousand words. What Gomez did was to let Drury know that he is a valued teammate and even if he isn’t lighting the lamp, Drury a big part of the team and a friend. That’s class.

I cannot believe that people are taking poles on some message boards asking whether Drury is a “mistake”. What with Jagr spouting off about how much he likes playing with the Dubinsky kid and how they have found “chemistry”, you have to think that Chris Drury is feeling a little lost right now. People are saying he is being paid way too much to be a third line center.

Chris Drury is a great hockey player and a leader. Jagr and Shanahan might both be gone by next year. I am glad we have a player of Drury’s caliber signed to a long term contract to take over when these Hall of Famers are gone. Right now, all that counts is putting pucks in the net and winning points. The intangibles come in the stretch run and in the playoffs. That’s when Chris Drury will be worth his weight in gold. Gomez knows it. So should we all.

Posted under New York Rangers