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New York Islanders Fall Again in Metro Power Rankings

Nov 7, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders goalie Jaroslav Halak (41) makes a save against Vancouver Canucks left wing Loui Eriksson (21) during the third period at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders goalie Jaroslav Halak (41) makes a save against Vancouver Canucks left wing Loui Eriksson (21) during the third period at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 6, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers right wing Kevin Hayes (13) waves to fans after beating the Winnipeg Jets 5-2 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers right wing Kevin Hayes (13) waves to fans after beating the Winnipeg Jets 5-2 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports /

95. . 8-3-1. Previous: 3 (+1)rd. New York Rangers. 2

The New York Rangers weren’t supposed to be this good. But here we are with the Rangers tied with the Penguins for the lead in the Metro division.

J.T. Miller wasn’t supposed to be on pace to score 76 points on the season. This is a player who’s career year was 36 in 2015-16. Wait that was Kevin Hayes. Kevin Hayes had a career year with 36 points last season.

Sorry, I get my overachieving New York Rangers confused. J.T. Miller is the other player on pace for 76 points. His career year was also last season, but he scored 43 points. My bad.

Jimmy Vesey wasn’t supposed to be this good either. The recent Hobby Baker winner is a good player. But to go from the NCAA to the NHL and still produce wasn’t in the script.

And this year it isn’t on Henrik Lundqvist. Unlike most years King Hank isn’t carrying this team. He’s certainly been good, but his 2.39 GAA and .908 SV% are lows for Henrik.

It’s that overproducing forward corps that’s carrying the Rangers. Their +24 goal differential and 55 goals for confirms as much. No other team in the NHL is even close to those numbers.

This could all come crashing down, because, like I’ve alluded to, this was rather unexpected. Or they can just keep going, and we can all bask in the wonder that is Alain Vigneault and Jeff Gorton.

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