Why the NHL Should Take Good Notice of the Hagelin-Richards-Gaborik Line

Tonight in Madison Square Garden, the Rangers took on the Carolina Hurricanes and managed to put up four goals on the 'Canes which lead to a win to the score of 4-2. All four goals from the Rangers came from their top forward unit consisting of Carl Hagelin on left-wing, Brad Richards in the middle, and Marian Gaborik on the right. Brad Richards had two goals, and Hagelin and Gaborik split the other two.

Not going off of just one night of performance, but this line has the potential to be the next big threatening line in the NHL. Carl Hagelin is being mentored every single game that he plays with Richards and Gaborik, and is thriving with them. Not only that, but he is fueling the veterans as well. Tonight, Hagelin had two assists on both Brad Richards goals. Gaborik had two assists on one Richards goal, and Hagelin's goal. There is chemistry on this line, and it is obvious.



Being on this line has brought Marian Gaborik back to his normal scoring-threat self again. Being with Gaborik and Hagelin has brought Richards into a territory of scoring that for a playmaker like Richards, a player who has never surpassed 30 goals, is pretty darn good. These are the kinds of lines that opposing teams put extra effort into considering what to do with those lines when they play against them. They have the potential, now it is their chance to prove it on one of the biggest stages in hockey: the playoffs.

With their effort tonight, the Rangers put themselves in position to clinch a playoff spot with only four more points. If the Rangers beat the Penguins on Thursday, the day Sidney Crosby is meant to return, that will put them just one win away from a playoff spot. Thursday will be the chance that this line will have a chance to prove themselves that they can hang with the big boys, and put themselves further away from the Penguins in the Eastern Conference standings, and closer to a spot at securing a playoff spot, and potential home-ice advantage.

If they want to be considered a threat around the NHL, it is no better time to prove it then right now.