Richards Can Be Rangers’ X-Factor As Playoffs Near

[Fuhgeddaboudit]

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/04/22/hartnett-richards-can-be-rangers-x-factor-as-playoffs-near/
 

“He’s starting to see the ice. I think he’s always been able to make plays and get the puck in the hands of guys for scoring chances. It just seems now, guys are executing and bearing the goals for him,” McDonagh said. “He’s been creating offense without getting the points at times this year and now, he’s just able to click at little bit more.”

“He’s been there before in these stretches where you’re trying to make the playoffs. He leads by example in both areas – defensively and offensively. It’s great to see him contributing,” McDonagh said.

Henrik Lundqvist believes Richards is finding his game at the perfect time.

“He’s looking great,” Lundqvist said. “Last couple weeks, he’s making some great plays, he feels like he’s reading the game really well and he’s scoring a lot of goals and setting up guys for goals. He’s heating up at the right time and it’s great to see.”

 

Should Richards continue to fire on all cylinders ahead of the playoffs, it would be a huge boost for the Blueshirts. We all know Lundqvist is capable of standing on his head on any given night. But the Rangers dropped a lot of winnable games this season when Lundqvist has been sensational.

A rejuvenated Richards could be a huge X-factor for the Rangers during this home stretch — and once the playoffs get underway.

 
Richards is the key to everything. When he is on, everyone around him instantly gets better, Richards good on the powerplay? Everyone else gets better. Besides Nash, he's the most important forward on the team.