Rangers re-gaining home advantage?

[Mel]

There was a time when teams were intimidated coming into Madison Square Garden. The Rangers took pride in guarding their house and the fans were always behind them. But that was one of many things lost in the recent string of nightmare seasons. In fact, the Rangers haven't had a winning record at home in this millenium.

But in getting off to a very unexpected 5-3-3 start this season, the formerly hapless Rangers have quietly built a 4-0-2 home record... and the previously bitter vocal fans are once again behind the team. Yes it's early, but the only way to establish respect is to win and then build on it. You have to start somewhere. Many around the league have taken notice of the rejuvinated franchise.

This team works hard and it's a very fast team from what Ranger fans are used to. (It's literally like watching a tape of the 2003-4 Rangers in fast-motion). They take too many penalties (short-handed 11 times last night), but they work hard on penalty killing. Hopefully discipline will come as this group polishes it's act a little bit. They are almost like an expansion team when you really think about it.

Jagr looks fresh, and is on pace for a big season offensively. Other guys like Straka and Rucinsky are stepping up to the challenge. Fedor Tyutin has stepped up. Lundqvist has been an absolute god-send. When he's in goal, the team is just plain confident. You can feel it both on the ice and in the home fans. It's been a very long time since I could sense that feeling.

I didn't expect much at all from this season... but so far I (and I would say all Ranger fans) are very pleasantly surprised, and just happy to have something to cheer about again. I'll definitely take it.

[bluemeanie]

Hockey is a lot less stressful when you don't expect much from your team yet they deliver quality hockey regardless. This year we're experiencing a similar situation in Toronto. I hope that both teams can keep up their pace, and upset a few of the more highly touted teams come playoff time. It's nice to have the original six teams playing well. It's also nice to stick your hands down your pants when their cold.

[Mel]

Hockey is a lot less stressful when you don't expect much from your team yet they deliver quality hockey regardless. This year we're experiencing a similar situation in Toronto. I hope that both teams can keep up their pace, and upset a few of the more highly touted teams come playoff time. It's nice to have the original six teams playing well. It's also nice to stick your hands down your pants when their cold.

Yep, too much hype = BAD!

look at Pittsburgh right now. yeah I know they finally managed a win after going down 0-4 in the first 10 minutes vs. Atlanta... but they still have a long way to go to live up to the non-stop hype... not just of Crosby but all of the "big names" they brought in. The present situation in Pittsburgh looks eerily familiar to say the least.

Hype and expectation devoured the high payroll / high profile Rangers in recent years. It was ugly. I'm glad it's over. But most of all, I'm glad these guys are winning back the fans and building a foundation to restore some awfully damaged pride in the franchise.