It's not hard to see what's different about this year

[Victory*]

The boys have gotten much closer with each other, and developed a sort of brotherhood. We've kept this basic core group together for a few years and made all the right moves to make it better and stronger. After they came back from Europe I remember one of the guys saying it really brought the team together and was great for getting to know each other more.

Watching HBO just seems to have confirmed this, they've all been together long enough now that you can see em fool around like best friends, you can tell they all like each other and feel comfortable and fully TRUST one another which makes them confident, and teamwork is the name of the game.

Just my 2¢.

[SherWood Lumber 76]

There is such a good balance of younger players and Vets. In past years there was an uneven balance of one or the other.

Healthy Gaborik makes a huge difference too.

[ruckus*]

Camaraderie is great and all. You know what's better though? Having better players than we've head. Every year we've continued to increase our depth and overall quality of talent. Togetherness is great to see and it definitely helps, but it's not "the difference this year". This team has been pretty close for a while. Hasn't helped them much. How was the center of the camaraderie Brian Boyle benefited this season?

[Dorado*]

Richards = balanced scoring top 6
Gaborik = harder/ faster /scoring more against top teams
MDZ =two way much better all around improvement
Hank = super sharp
Biron= giving a a chance to win
Team = playing system consistently

[Stepanformayor]

I think the fact that Stepan and Gabby have clicked from day 1 of camp has been a big reason. Having Richie in the middle of the other line gives us two scoring lines.

[BlueshirtBlitz]

Yeah, as great as chemistry is, having 40 goal version of Gaborik on an actually good team also helps.

[Callagraves]

Torts said it best: The goal of this team, and the way they're planning to win a cup, is to assemble a team that is more than the sum of it's parts.

And what's nuts is, I don't think we've seen them play their best hockey yet.

[broadwayblue]

Loving this team for sure. Now start scoring more regularly on the power play and win more than 50% of the faceoffs and they make some noise in the playoffs.

[GordonGecko]

Eight reasons the Rangers are No. 1 in the League
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=610277

1. Depth has made blue-line injuries irrelevant
2. Henrik Lundqvist is better than ever
3. Marian Gaborik doesn't need Brad Richards
4. The kids are alright
5. Growth through adversity
6. Back-to-backs are their bread and butter
7. There's no quit in the Rangers
8. Captain Callahan

[js10]

Originally Posted by GordonGecko

Eight reasons the Rangers are No. 1 in the League
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=610277

1. Depth has made blue-line injuries irrelevant
2. Henrik Lundqvist is better than ever
3. Marian Gaborik doesn't need Brad Richards
4. The kids are alright
5. Growth through adversity
6. Back-to-backs are their bread and butter
7. There's no quit in the Rangers
8. Captain Callahan

I like all of those but would add:

9. Biron has been a great backup
10. youngsters are doing a great job and delivering
11. new players were mashed into the group and are delivering
12. they play and act as a TEAM and have respect for each other (maybe one of the most important; great environment for learning for young players= future stars)