Why Anything Short of a Stanley Cup is a Failed Season for the Rangers

The debates on social media have already begun on what a Stanley Cup would mean for the Rangers, who are trying to win their first in 30 years and second in over 80 years. However, there are some people who think that the Rangers season is already a success, regardless of what happens.

But I am here to tell you that anything besides a Stanley Cup win is, and should be, considered a failed season for the Blueshirts.

Playing in New York comes with high expectations, and understandably so. New York is one of the meccas of the world, a place where many desire to be. Sports are no different. The fans, as passionate as you will see. And to to be frank, besides the Yankees and little spurts from the Islanders and Giants, New York hasn’t had a lot to cheer about over the years, but that isn’t to say they have bad sports teams.

The Rangers, coming into this season, were fresh off of a disappointing playoff exit to their rival New Jersey Devils last spring. The players had a massive chip on their shoulders to deliver this season. Management stepped in and fired Gerard Gallant and his assistants, giving Peter Laviolette the job. He and his staff, along with the likes of Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, Adam Fox, and Igor Shesterkin to name a few, reeled the franchise to winning the President’s Trophy, as they were the best team in the regular season.

Winning the President’s Trophy already puts you in a Cup or Bust territory, and playing in New York makes it all that more important. Even Artemi Panarin said coming into the playoffs,

“We have to win the Stanley Cup.”

Similarly during training camp, Vincent Trocheck said,

“This team’s been looked at as a team that can take this step in the future for a while now, I think the future is now. Coming into this year, it’s a no bulls**t mentality.”

The players were fully aware that after last year’s underwhelming exit, they were going to be playing with chips on their shoulders for the entirety of the season.

So far, it has paid off, but the Rangers still need 6 more wins to go in order to achieve their goal.

Therefore, it will only be a successful season for the Blueshirts if they are the last time standing. No moral victories. No excuses. The time is now. The players know that. Get. It. Done.