Voros in front of net equals goals and rousing start for the Rangers

Roughly 90 minutes after the ice had been cleared the fans were gone, the vendor was wheeling his unsold t-shirts into the elevator and moving them into storage for the next night of hawking Rangers merchandise. The cart did not include any items containing the name Aaron Voros.

Chances are they might the next time. Especially if Voros continues to find his way in front of opposing goaltenders to deflect those big drives from the point.

Voros did just that Monday and the Rangers are 5-0-0 for the first time since 1983-84. If they win again Wednesday against Ryan Miller and the Sabres, that will be a franchise record.

So who is Aaron Voros? He's a guy who has the passion for standing in front of the net. He said so himself.



The initial comparision is Sean Avery, whose tactics prompted the league to name a rule after him. Tom Renney's better comparison is Thomas Holmstrom of Detroit, who has scored 176 times since 1996 by doing just that and so far Voros has caused this song to play three times by his actions.

His actions have along with those of Brandon Dubinsky - who is becoming a clutch player in the mode of Chris Drury - have prompted this song to be played five times in as many games so far.

Making matters even more impressive is that the top line of Scott Gomez, Markus Naslund and Chris Drury did not even register a point against the Devils.

Before the season started, the popular vote had the Rangers somewhere around sixth in the East because it was going to be a season of seeing how Jaromir Jagr could be replaced but the Rangers have done that by replacing his plodding style with a quick strike and speed game and that is what can win a lot of games these days.

That's not a knock at Jagr, it's just the reality of the league and the Rangers have embraced it to the tune of 10 points. It has not all been perfect, there have been stretches that would be nicely classified as "not so good", but it's a rousing start.

The latest win came after prospect Alexei Cherepanov passed away at the way too young age of 19 in Russia and while playing alongside Jagr. Jagr remained in contact with the Rangers and said he was good enough to play on a second line in the NHL.

The best way to honor something so tragic is to put forth these kind of efforts that lead to more wins than losses.


"Just stay humble. Work hard. Work harder than the other team every game, and work harder in practice. “Take nothing for granted, especially on a day like today. How could you? It’s a gift to be playing in this league. It’s a gift to walk the planet. So you know what, leave it on the ice every single night and let the results take care of themselves." - Tom Renney