1993–94 New York Rangers season

The 1993–94 New York Rangers season was the franchise's 68th season. The highlight of the season was winning the Stanley Cup and hosting the NHL All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers clinched their second Presidents' Trophy and sixth division title by finishing with the best record in the NHL at 52–24–8, setting a then-franchise record with 112 points.

1993–94 New York Rangers
Stanley Cup champions
Eastern Conference champions
Atlantic Division champions
Division1st Atlantic
Conference1st Eastern
1993–94 record52–24–8
Home record28–8–6
Road record24–16–2
Goals for299
Goals against231
Team information
General managerNeil Smith
CoachMike Keenan
CaptainMark Messier
Alternate captainsAdam Graves
Kevin Lowe
Brian Leetch
Steve Larmer
ArenaMadison Square Garden
Average attendance18,001 (98.9%)
Minor league affiliate(s)Binghamton Rangers (AHL)
Team leaders
GoalsAdam Graves (52)
AssistsSergei Zubov (77)
PointsSergei Zubov (89)
Penalty minutesJeff Beukeboom (170)
Plus/minusBrian Leetch (+28)
WinsMike Richter (42)
Goals against averageMike Richter (2.57)

This marked the last season in which the Rangers were under the control of Paramount Communications. Toward the end of the season, Paramount was taken over by Viacom. Shortly thereafter, Viacom divested itself of all of Paramount's interests in Madison Square Garden, including the Rangers, and sold them to ITT Corporation and Cablevision. A couple of years later, ITT would sell their share to Cablevision, who owned the Rangers until 2010, when the MSG properties became their own company. As of 2024, this remains the most recent season the Rangers won the Stanley Cup.

Off season

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On April 17, 1993, the New York Rangers named Mike Keenan as their head coach. Keenan was hired to replace Ron Smith, who the team decided not to retain after he coached the second half of the season in place of the fired Roger Neilson. Keenan had taken the 1992–93 season off after spending four years as the head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks, where he led the team to the Stanley Cup Finals in his last year.

Pre-season

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During the 1993 pre-season, the Rangers had a record of 7–2–0.

Regular season

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The 1993–94 season was a magical one for Rangers fans, as head coach Mike Keenan led the Rangers to their first Stanley Cup championship in 54 years. Two years prior, they acquired center Mark Messier, who was an integral part of the Edmonton Oilers' Cup-winning teams. Adam Graves, who also defected from the Oilers, joined the Rangers as well. Other ex-Oilers on the Blueshirts included trade deadline acquisitions Craig MacTavish and Glenn Anderson. Brian Leetch and Sergei Zubov were a solid "1–2 punch" on defense. In fact, Zubov led the team in scoring that season with 89 points, and continued to be an All-Star defenseman throughout his career. Graves would set a team record with 52 goals, breaking the old record of 50 held by Vic Hadfield. This record would later be broken by Jaromir Jagr on April 8, 2006, against the Boston Bruins. New York was not shut-out in any of their 84 regular-season games.[1] The Rangers led the NHL in wins (52), points (112) and power-play goals (96, tied with the Buffalo Sabres) and power play percentage (23.02%). They also allowed the fewest shorthanded goals (5) of all 26 teams.[2]

On February 21, 1994, Tony Amonte scored just eight seconds into the overtime period to win the game to give the Rangers a 4–3 home win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.[3] It would prove to be the fastest overtime goal scored during the 1993–94 regular season.[4]

All-Star Game

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The 1994 National Hockey League All-Star Game took place on January 22, 1994, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The final score was East 9, West 8.

Season standings

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Atlantic Division
No. CR GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 1 New York Rangers 84 52 24 8 299 231 112
2 3 New Jersey Devils 84 47 25 12 306 220 106
3 7 Washington Capitals 84 39 35 10 277 263 88
4 8 New York Islanders 84 36 36 12 282 264 84
5 9 Florida Panthers 84 33 34 17 233 233 83
6 10 Philadelphia Flyers 84 35 39 10 294 314 80
7 12 Tampa Bay Lightning 84 30 43 11 224 251 71

[5] Note: No. = Division rank, CR = Conference rank, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points
       Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.

Eastern Conference[6]
R GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 p-New York Rangers * 84 52 24 8 299 231 112
2 x-Pittsburgh Penguins * 84 44 27 13 299 285 101
3 New Jersey Devils 84 47 25 12 306 220 106
4 Boston Bruins 84 42 29 13 289 252 97
5 Montreal Canadiens 84 41 29 14 283 248 96
6 Buffalo Sabres 84 43 32 9 282 218 95
7 Washington Capitals 84 39 35 10 277 263 88
8 New York Islanders 84 36 36 12 282 264 84
9 Florida Panthers 84 33 34 17 233 233 83
10 Philadelphia Flyers 84 35 39 10 294 314 80
11 Quebec Nordiques 84 34 42 8 277 292 76
12 Tampa Bay Lightning 84 30 43 11 224 251 71
13 Hartford Whalers 84 27 48 9 227 288 63
14 Ottawa Senators 84 14 61 9 201 397 37
Final standings

bold – Qualified for playoffs; x – Won division; p – Won Presidents' Trophy (and division); * – Division leader

Playoffs

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Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

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In the opening round, the Rangers faced their crosstown rivals the New York Islanders, this series would turn out to be an extremely one sided affair as the Rangers outscored their rivals 22–3 in a four-game sweep.

Eastern Conference Semi-finals

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Next, the Rangers faced the Washington Capitals who were coming off a shocking six game win over the second seeded Pittsburgh Penguins. The Rangers appeared to have the series in hand after they won the first three games, although the Capitals avoided the sweep with a Game 4 win, the Rangers got back in control and won the series in five games.

Eastern Conference Finals

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After going down in the Eastern Conference Finals 3–2 to the New Jersey Devils, Rangers' captain Mark Messier made one of the most famous guarantees in sports history, saying the Rangers would win Game 6 in New Jersey to tie the series 3–3. Not only did the Rangers back up Messier's guarantee, Messier scored a hat-trick in the Rangers' 4–2 win, sending the game back to New York for Game 7.[7] In Game 7, the Rangers held a 1–0 lead after a second period goal by Brian Leetch. The lead would hold up until 7.7 seconds remaining, when Valeri Zelepukin was able to beat Mike Richter to send the game to overtime. In double overtime, Stephane Matteau scored his second overtime goal of the series to send the Rangers to the Finals. The series-winning goal prompted the famous call of "Matteau, Matteau, Matteau!" by Rangers radio announcer Howie Rose.[8]

Stanley Cup Finals

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The Rangers won their first Stanley Cup in 54 years, dating back to 1940, beating the Vancouver Canucks in seven games.

The Rangers winning this Stanley Cup drew 4.957 million viewers to Hockey Night in Canada, making it the highest-rated single CBC Sports program in history until the 10.6 million viewers for the men's ice hockey gold medal game between Canada and the United States at the 2002 Winter Olympics, when Canada won its first Olympic ice hockey gold medal since the 1952 Winter Olympics.[9][10] CBC commentator Bob Cole, who called both games, said Game 7 was one of his most memorable TV games.[11][9]

MSG Network broadcaster Al Trautwig said that this Stanley Cup win by the Rangers was seen as the coming of age of the NHL's influence in Europe.[12] It marked the first time that the Russians got their names on the Stanley Cup and there were four who got that honor – Alexander Karpovtsev, Alexei Kovalev, Sergei Nemchinov and Sergei Zubov—giving a huge European television audience, including those watching on the brand-new television screens across the former Soviet Union, a Stanley Cup story to remember.[12]

Schedule and results

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Pre-season

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Regular season

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1993–94 Game Log: 52–24–8, 112 Points (home: 28–8–6; road: 24–16–2)

Legend:   Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Tie (1 point)

Detailed records

Playoffs

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1994 Stanley Cup playoffs

Legend:   Win   Loss

Player statistics

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Skaters
Goaltenders
Regular season
Player GP TOI W L T GA GAA SA SV% SO
Mike Richter 68 3710 42 12 6 159 2.57 1758 .910 5
Glenn Healy 29 1368 10 12 2 69 3.03 567 .878 2
Playoffs
Player GP TOI W L GA GAA SA SV% SO
Mike Richter 23 1417 16 7 49 2.07 623 .921 4
Glenn Healy 2 68 0 0 1 0.89 17 .941 0

Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Rangers. Stats reflect time with Rangers only.
Traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with Rangers only.

[13]

Note:
Pos = Position; GPI = Games played in; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes; +/- = Plus/minus; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals
Min, TOI = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T,T/OT = Ties; OTL = Overtime losses; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts; SA = Shots against; SV = Shots saved; SV% = Save percentage;

Media

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Ranger games were carried on the MSG Network, with some games broadcast on MSG II due to conflicts with New York Knicks National Basketball Association and New York Yankees Major League Baseball games. The broadcast crew included Sam Rosen, Bruce Beck, John Davidson, and Al Trautwig.

The games were also broadcast on radio station WFAN-AM; the broadcast team included Marv Albert, Howie Rose, Sal Messina, and Steve Somers. Some games were broadcast on WEVD-AM due to conflicts with New York Knicks National Basketball Association games and New York Jets National Football League games.

Transactions

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Awards and records

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45th NHL All-Star Game

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New York Rangers NHL All-Star representatives at the 45th NHL All-Star Game in New York City, New York at Madison Square Garden.

Players

# Player Position Conference Goals Assists Points
9 Adam Graves LW (Eastern Conference All-Stars) 2 2
2 Brian Leetch D, Starter (Eastern Conference All-Stars)
11 Mark Messier C, Starter (Eastern Conference All-Stars) Captain 1 2 3

Goaltenders

# Player Position Conference Saves Shots against
35 Mike Richter G (Eastern Conference All-Stars)
MVP of 45th NHL All-Star Game
16 18

Trainers

Name Position Conference
Joe Murphy Trainer (Eastern Conference All-Stars)
Dave Smith Trainer (Eastern Conference All-Stars)

Draft picks

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New York's picks at the 1993 NHL Entry Draft in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, at the Colisée de Québec.

Round # Player Position Nationality College/junior/club team (league)
1 8 Niklas Sundstrom LW   Sweden MODO (SEL)
2 34 Lee Sorochan D   Canada Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)
3 61 Maxim Galanov D   Russia HC Lada Togliatti (Russia)
4 86 Sergei Olympiev LW   Belarus Dinamo Minsk (Russia)
5 112 Gary Roach D   Canada Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
6 138 Dave Trofimenkoff G   Canada Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)
7 162 Sergei Kondrashkin LW   Russia Cherepovets Metallurg (Russia)
7 164 Todd Marchant LW   United States Clarkson University (NCAA)
8 190 Ed Campbell D   United States Omaha Lancers (USHL)
9 216 Ken Shepard G   Canada Oshawa Generals (OHL)
10 242 Andrei Kudinov C   Russia Traktor Chelyabinsk (Russia)
11 261 Pavel Komarov D   Russia Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (Russia)
11 268 Maxim Smelnitsky LW   Russia Traktor Chelyabinsk (Russia)

Expansion Draft

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New York's losses at the 1993 NHL Expansion Draft in Quebec City, Quebec.

Round # Player Nationality Drafted by Drafted from
1 12 Joe Cirella   Canada Florida Panthers New York Rangers
1 23 Steven King   United States Mighty Ducks of Anaheim New York Rangers

Supplemental Draft

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New York's picks at the 1993 NHL Supplemental Draft.

Player Position Nationality College/junior/club team (league)
Wayne Strachan RW   Canada Lake Superior State University (CCHA)

References

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  1. ^ "1993-94 New York Rangers Roster and Statistics".
  2. ^ "1993-94 NHL Season Summary | Hockey-Reference.com". Archived from the original on September 29, 2013. Retrieved November 19, 2013.
  3. ^ Lapointe, Joe (February 22, 1994). "HOCKEY; Rangers Leave Penguins One Short". The New York Times.
  4. ^ "1993-94 NHL Schedule and Results".
  5. ^ Standings: NHL Public Relations Department (2008). Dave McCarthy; et al. (eds.). THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Official Guide & Record Book/2009. National Hockey League. p. 154. ISBN 978-1-894801-14-0.
  6. ^ "NHL Hockey Standings". NHL.com. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  7. ^ Greatest NHL Playoff Moments: Messier Guarantees Win
  8. ^ "Howie Rose". MSG.com. Madison Square Garden, LP. Archived from the original on January 1, 2011. Retrieved March 28, 2011.
  9. ^ a b McKay, John (February 22, 2002). "Despite Some Critics, CBC Enjoys Praise and More Than Six million Olympics Viewers". Canadian Press. The women's gold medal game was a huge ratings hit, drawing...4.54 million...The CBC says its highest rated sports program was Game 7 of the 1994 Stanley Cup between the New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks. That averaged 4.97 million.
  10. ^ Ohler, Shawn (February 26, 2002). "Lucky Loonie Stunt Pays Off". The Calgary Herald. p. A1. A record-busting average of 8.7 million Canadians watched on television as the men's hockey team snatched gold from the United States in Salt Lake City...The audience actually peaked at 10.6 million, the CBC said...CBC says that prior to Sunday, its highest-rated sports show was Game 7 of the 1994 Stanley Cup between the New York Rangers and the Vancouver Canucks, which attracted an average of 4.97 million viewers.
  11. ^ Houston, William (November 6, 1997). "Cole's Close Call". The Globe and Mail. p. S4. Cole's three most memorable TV games: 1. Game 7 of the 1987 Stanley Cup Finals (Edmonton 3, Philadelphia 1). The Oilers at their peak. 2. Game 3 of 1996 World Cup of Hockey Final (United States 5, Canada 2). 'I was devastated.' 3. Game 7, 1994 Stanley Cup Finals (New York Rangers 3, Vancouver 2). 'A great series.'
  12. ^ a b Kalinsky, George (2004). Garden of Dreams. New York: Stewart, Tabori, & Chang. p. 171. ISBN 1-58479-343-0.
  13. ^ "1993-94 New York Rangers". hockeydb.com. Archived from the original on August 8, 2010. Retrieved August 1, 2010.
  14. ^ NHL trade deadline: Deals since 1980 | Habs Inside/Out Archived 2009-02-16 at the Wayback Machine
Bibliography
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