from Larry Brooks of the New York Post,

This is not a perfect union. But there are no perfect teams in this NHL. The Rangers sometimes bend but they don’t often break. Now that the Artemi Panarin-Vincent Trocheck-Alexis Lafreniere unit has cooled, without a five-on-five goal over the past nine contests, the Kreider-Zibanejad-Blake Wheeler connection has taken the baton and run with it.

There is a long way to Tipperary, almost as long as it is to the start of the playoffs. An entire season essentially lays ahead. The winter grind takes its toll. Which is one way to say that it will be mighty interesting to see what the 37-year-old Wheeler has in his arsenal come April, May and June.

But if the winger maintains his legs, if the chemistry that appears to be developing among him and Zibanejad and Kreider flourishes, then the Blueshirts may not have to go to market for a right wing to play in that spot. If Wheeler can thrive under playoff conditions, the Rangers have the prototypical power winger to offset the best buds. And general manager Chris Drury can use his deadline resources elsewhere.

This is a can-do collection that is likely playing slightly over its skis. But there’s a grit there, exemplified by a kid like Will Cuylle or a veteran named Nick Bonino. The team is more than the collection of its parts.

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