New York Rangers hit 50 wins! Here’s a look back at the teams that did it before
The 2021-22 New York Rangers became just the fifth team in franchise history to hit the 50 win mark. It was the first time since the 2014-15 edition that a Blueshirts squad had completed the feat.
After defeating the Winnipeg Jets and earning their third straight shutout their record stands at 50-21-6 for 106 points.
With five games remaining they can add to the total and possibly break some records:
- Most Wins: 53 (2014-15)
- Most Points: 113 (2014-15)
Head coach Gerard Gallant also became just the franchise’s second head coach to reach the 50 win mark in his first season. The other was Mike Keenan, who notched 52 in the 1993-94 season and we all know what happened that year.
“As a coach, you never come in here and say, ‘Well, 50 wins would be a great season for us,'” Gallant said. “You just take it one game at a time and that’s how we do things. But it’s huge. It’s great to see. I don’t think they’ve done it too many times here. Five. What’s that say? It’s been a real good year and a lot of fun. We’ve got five games left and hopefully build on that.”
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Here’s a look at the other four teams to accomplish the feat and some highlights for that season.
2014 – 2015 New York Rangers (53-22-7 = 113 points)
Coach: Alain Vigneualt
Captain: Ryan McDonagh
Leading Scorer: Rick Nash (69)
Most Goals: Rick Nash (42)
Top Defenseman: Ryan McDonagh (33)
Top Goalie: Henrik Lundqvist (30-13-3, 2.25 GAA, .922 SV%)
Season Highlights: This was the team that everyone expected to win it all after losing to the L.A. Kings in the Final the season before. After earning their third Presidents Trophy in franchise history all eyes were on the playoffs. Unfortunately, they could not find a way to score in game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning. That 2-0 loss was difficult to swallow but it turned out that three defenseman were playing badly injured (McDonagh, Dan Girardi, and Marc Staal). Three seasons later the Rangers would miss the playoffs and announce a rebuild.
2011- 2012 New York Rangers (51-24-7 = 109 points)
Coach: John Tortorella
Captain: Ryan Callahan
Leading Scorer: Marian Gaborik (76)
Most Goals: Marian Gaborik (41)
Top Defenseman: Michael Del Zotto (41)
Top Goalie: Henrik Lundqvist (39-18-5, 1.97 GAA, .930 SV%)
Season Highlights: This was the best season for the Black and Blueshirts edition of the Rangers as they came to be known. The Rangers were a fast paced and hard hitting squad that blocked more shots than any brick wall you could place on the ice. Unfortunately, it probably wore them down and led to their eventual elimination by the Devils in the Eastern Conference Final.
1993 – 1994 New York Rangers (52-24-8 = 112 points)
Coach: Mike Keenan
Captain: Mark Messier
Leading Scorer: Sergei Zubov (89)
Most Goals: Adam Graves (52)
Top Defenseman: Sergei Zubov (89)
Top Goalie: Mike Richter (42-12-6, 2.57 GAA, .910 SV%)
Season Highlights: The most famous team in franchise history ended a 54 year Stanley Cup drought in dramatic fashion with two consecutive 7 game series (NJ Devils ECF, Vancouver Canucks SCF). After an abysmal 1992-93 season where they missed the playoffs and saw Roger Neilson fired after a fallout with Messier, they focused on winning it all. They brought in the fiery Mike Keenan and dominated, winning another Presidents Trophy. In the playoffs, Brian Leetch became the first U.S. Born player to be named Conn Smythe Trophy winner (Playoff MVP).
1991 – 1992 New York Rangers (50-25-5 = 105 points)
Coach: Roger Neilson
Captain: Mark Messier
Leading Scorer: Mark Messier (107)
Most Goals: Mike Gartner (40)
Top Defenseman: Brian Leetch (102)
Top Goalie: John Vanbiesbrouck (27-13-3, 2.85 GAA, .910 SV%)
Season Highlights: Every championship has a beginning. For the New York Rangers it was this season. Despite losing in the second round to the Pittsburgh Penguins this year marked their first Presidents Trophy win as the best team in the regular season. Mark Messier was acquired just as the campaign began and went on to win the Hart Trophy (MVP). The amazing Brian Leetch won the Norris Trophy (Top Defenseman) in his fourth full season.
Note: Stats from Hockey-Reference
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Here a look back at Tuesday nights action including the Rangers 50th win. Plus the West playoff picture and more.
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