Author: Patrick Hoffman

Patrick covers the NHL for Inside The Rink. He has previously covered the league for The Ultimate Hockey Fan Cave, WTP Sports, Sportsnet.ca, Kukla’s Korner, Spector’s Hockey, NHL Network Radio blog, TheHockeyNews.com, The Fourth Period, Stan Fischler’s “The Fischler Report”, as well as a slew of others.

Vincent Trocheck skating for the New York Rangers

Rangers’ Second Line Doing Everything Right

The New York Rangers‘ second line, consisting of Alexis Lafreniere, Vincent Trocheck, and Artemi Panarin, was dominant in the regular season. Each player recorded career highs in points as Lafreniere had 57 (28 goals and 29 assists), Trocheck had 77 (25 goals and 52 assists), and Panarin had 120 (49 goals and 71 assists). Not […]

Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images

Rangers’ Zibanejad Getting the Job Done When It Matters Most

Going into this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs, no one knew what to expect of New York Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad. Despite having 72 points (26 goals and 46 assists) this season, Zibanejad, 31, was inconsistent this year. Sometimes, he would pass up scoring opportunities or go stretches without putting the puck in the net. Related […]

Opinion: Laviolette Did Wonders With the Rangers This Season

The NHL Broadcasters’ Association got it right when it came to picking their three finalists for the Jack Adams Award, which, according to the award’s definition, is “presented to the head coach who has contributed the most to his team’s success. The three finalists, which were announced on Friday, May 3, Rick Tocchet (Vancouver Canucks), […]

NHL Playoffs: Grading the Rangers In Their First Round Sweep of the Capitals

Everyone knew that the New York Rangers would win their first round series with the Washington Capitals. It was just a matter of how many games it would take and how dominant the Blueshirts would be. The Rangers more than took care of business as they swept the Capitals in what was a very easy […]

Varlamov Continues to Provide Steady Goaltending for the Islanders

There is no doubt that the New York Islanders‘ future in between the pipes is Ilya Sorokin. Sorokin, 28, was a Vezina Trophy finalist (given to the league’s best goaltender) last season and has posted solid numbers in his career so far. He is currently 95-65-0-30 with a 2.54 goals-against average, a .919 save percentage, […]

Rangers Must Use Killer Instinct in Game 4 Against the Capitals

The New York Rangers may be up three games to none in their first-round series with the Washington Capitals, but this series could just as easily be 2-1 Rangers or 2-1 Capitals. In their 4-3 win on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, the Blueshirts let the Capitals hang around in the game for too […]

Glaring Differences Between the Rangers and Capitals Through Two Games

If you have been watching the first round series between the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals, it should be easy to see why the Blueshirts are up two games to none after Tuesday night’s 4-3 victory at Madison Square Garden. Below are the differences between the two clubs and how they have enabled the […]

Fourth Line Drives New York Rangers to Big Game 1 Victory Over the Washington Capitals

To succeed in the Stanley Cup playoffs, teams must have all of their lines going. It is crucial that each team’s big stars play well, that everyone plays a 200-foot game, and that they consistently get the goaltending they need to lift hockey’s Holy Grail come June. It is a pretty simple formula. With that […]

Opinion: Rangers Should Make Quick Work of the Capitals

When it comes to the New York Rangers and the Washington Capitals taking on each other in the Stanley Cup playoffs, their bouts seem to go the distance. In 2009 (Capitals won), 2012 (Rangers won), 2013 (Rangers won), and 2015 (Rangers won), the series between the Blueshirts and Capitals went the distance. They were all […]

Rangers Clinch Best in Everything With Shutout Win Over the Senators

Going into Monday night’s (April 15) game against the Ottawa Senators, the New York Rangers had a singular focus – win baby. That is exactly what they did and they did it convincingly. The Blueshirts shutout the Senators 4-0 to pick up their franchise-record 55th win. With the win, the team clinched a few important […]