Blackburn Shines at Season's End

Dan Blackburn stopped 43 shots in a losing effort on Saturday. The Rangers fell to the Flyers 2-1 in the final game of the season, the only Ranger goal being scored by Petr Nedved while killing a penalty. Blackburn himself, was fantastic keeping the Rangers in the game throughout. There were many doubts about whether or not the 18-year-old would be ready to compete in the NHL, and around the middle of the season, those doubts seemed justified. But since Mike Richter went out with a fractured skull, Dan Blackburn has proved otherwise. He became only the second teenager to record a five game winning streak with his 3-2 win against Pittsburgh on April 8, proving himself a capable net-minder.

Blackburn is one of the reasons Ranger fans have reason to be optimistic for next season. Blackburn should provide relief for veteran Mike Richter (unless the Rangers choose not to re-sign him). Richter won team MVP for the Rangers in the 2001/02 season. With Richter's injury-plagued past a concern, Blackburn will help ease those who are skeptical of keeping Richter around. Playing on the Rangers, with shots often and challenging, Blackburn and Richter's statistics can be misleading, but the Rangers goaltending has keep them in many games this season and should next season as well.

Another reason Rangers fans have to remain optimistic for next season is the play of Pavel Bure and Eric Lindros together. With Lindros providing space for Bure, and vice versa, the two compliment each other perfectly. Playing with Martin Rucinsky, the Rangers top line has provided a big chunk of the Rangers offense. Rucinsky is an un-restricted free agent this off-season and may find himself replaced by an off-season acquisition (Teemu Selanne?). The Rangers will be a force not to be reckoned with if this duo carries their inspired play into next season.

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