RANGERS | nydn

New York, NY - Coming within two wins of the Stanley Cup Final, the Rangers saw their dramatic 2011-12 campaign come to an abrupt end. As the off-season began, the front office began looking at possible holes in the Blue Shirt roster. Sure enough, GM Glen Sather made the blockbuster deal that hockey fans had been waiting for for nearly six months. Rick Nash had been shipped out of Columbus to done the red, white and blue.

Coach John Tortorella admitted the lack of scoring hurt the Rangers in the postseason last year and hopes the acquisition of Nash will help push his club to the next level. "Rick is a great player" said Torts. "He's a big body with a great shot and I think he'll fit in perfectly with out club".

The deal for Nash saw fan favorite Brandon Dubinsky get sent to Columbus with Artem Anisimov, Tim Erixon and a first rounder. The fact that Sather was able to avoid losing Chris Kreider, Michael Del Zotto or Ryan McDonagh is a real testiment to the Blue Shirts' president. The Rangers are hoping that Nash's ability to put the puck in the net will push them over that last hurdle and reach the Cup finals for the first time since 1994.

Rangers hoping Nash is 'Finals' piece to the puzzle

Los Angeles Kings

Fri, 10/12 at 10:00 PM EDT

Next Game:

Week 1:

Staples Center (A)

Last Game:

none.

Jim Rangione - 9.7.12

Henrik tries to build on Vezina-winning season

Season opens with defending champs in Los Angeles

Coming off the best season of his NHL career, Henrik Lundqvist is looking to build upon a year that saw him walk away with the Vezina trophy. "Everything from the opening games in Sweden, the Winter Classic, the Game 7's, it was a great year, it really was" said Lundqvist. "We came within two games from the finals and we know we can get back to that point. We all need to both push and pace ourselves throughout the season". Pace is a key word there as the Rangers struggled through the first two rounds of the playoffs last year, narrowly topping the Senators and Capitals in seven games respectively.

Though Henrik is likely the least of their concerns, the Rangers know Lundqvist puts more pressure on himself than the majority of players. "He's a battler. There's no question about that" said coach John Tortorella. "The fact that he wants to improve after such a successful season is truly inspirational". With Rick Nash on the roster, the Rangers are hoping Henrik doesn't have to improve to skate away with the Stanley Cup at the end of the season.

Jim Rangione - 9.7.12

Coming off the best season of his NHL career, Henrik Lundqvist is looking to build upon a year that saw him walk away with the Vezina trophy. "Everything from the opening games in Sweden, the Winter Classic, the Game 7's, it was a great year, it really was" said Lundqvist. "We came within two games from the finals and we know we can get back to that point. We all need to both push and pace ourselves throughout the season". Pace is a key word there as the Rangers struggled through the first two rounds of the playoffs last year, narrowly topping the Senators and Capitals in seven games respectively.

Though Henrik is likely the least of their concerns, the Rangers know Lundqvist puts more pressure on himself than the majority of players. "He's a battler. There's no question about that" said coach John Tortorella. "The fact that he wants to improve after such a successful season is truly inspirational". With Rick Nash on the roster, the Rangers are hoping Henrik doesn't have to improve to skate away with the Stanley Cup at the end of the season.

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