Are The Rangers Doomed For Failure?

Should "Doomed" be the Rangers Middle Name?

You'd think so as the Blueshirts take on the Los Angeles Kings at The Garden on Saturday afternoon.

What was a trickle of pessimists about a month ago has turned into a veritable torrent of naysayers – and I don't mean maybe either. Take the distinguished Sporting News as an example.

"Why The Rangers Will Miss The Playoffs" is the title of Hannah Kirkell's scathing indictment of Pistol Pete Laviolette's beloved sextet.

You know me; The Maven doesn't get upset too easily. But after running through Hannah's list, I had to grab two Tums and re-order a gross of Advils with a side dish of Tylenol.

1. Lack of Commitment To Team Defense: And by that Hannah means the team as a whole.

2. A Drop Off In Scoring: Guess what? That dear boy, Mika Zibanejad tops the list. (Yeah, you, too, Chris Kreider.)

3. Regression Of The Stars: (See #2.)

4. Regression Of The Power Play: As we all know, the PP has to be A-1 but, too often it's been N.G. – as in No Good!

Astonishingly, I could not find the name Laviolette nor Drury among her Rangers culprits so that means the high command is temporarily off the hook. (That is, as long as Jim Dolan doesn't change his mind.)

Fret not, folks; The Maven is here to be Chairman Of The Rangers Gloom Dodgers Society as of right now.

With all deference to Hannah Kirkell and her august Sporting News, I'm here to tell you, you're wrong. Make that DEAD WRONG! The Rangers will rise from the NHL landfill.

Granted that she's delivered four persuasive points, but I want to debunk each one of them. Ready! Set ! Go:

1. Team Defense? Simple: All Pistol Pete has to do is hammer two words into their pretty little heads: PAY ATTENTION. Or, FOCUS! . (And that really ain't that hard.)

2. Drop Off In Scoring: There's been an unforgivable lack of intensity. EARN YOUR DOLLARS. (Otherwise, I have to explain it off as age setting in.)

3. Regression of Stars: (See 2)

4. Power Play Regression: Maybe it IS the coach. Maybe they're not listening to Pistol Pete.. Maybe they forgot what had worked so well in previous years.

Blue Collar Blueshirts editor Sean McCaffrey calls the team a "Paper Tiger." Veteran Rangers reporter Rick Carpinello calls them "Pure Marshmallow." The Post's Larry Brooks offers another word, "Vanilla."

As the homily goes, "By their works shall ye know them." Perhaps we'll learn who's right during Saturdays's game.

Bottom Line: The Maven has faith in the Presidents' Trophy-winners!