GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Infused with the holiday spirit, Kevin Hayes strolled into the locker room in full uniform after practice on Wednesday crooning “It’s the most won-der-ful time of the year.”
Actually, for the Rangers or any NHL team, the most wonderful time of the year could be in June, hoisting a Stanley Cup.
But on the eve of a two-game trip to Dallas and Nashville, there’s little argument that the Blueshirts are in a good place.
Consider:
They have 20 wins in 31 games. No. 1 goaltender Henrik Lundqvist is rested and motivated. And they are getting healthier: Power forward Rick Nash, who has missed four games with a tweaked groin, and Matt Puempel, who was concussed against the Islanders, practiced and joined the team on the flight south.