There have been quite a few moments in the long storied history of the New York Rangers. As many will take the opportunity to sit down tomorrow and take part in the Thanksgiving holiday, here are seven moments that many Blueshirt fans might be thankful for. With a long history, we will go back to events 25 years or older that played significant roles in the development that embodies everything that is the New York Rangers.
1. The founding of the New York Rangers in 1926
This list would not be complete if the original founding of the Rangers was not included. George Lewis “Tex” Rickard, president of Madison Square Garden, was awarded an NHL franchise for the 1926–27 season to compete with the now-defunct New York Americans, who had begun play at the Garden the previous season. A successful team was put together which led to players becoming minor celebrities and fixtures in New York City’s Roaring Twenties nightlife. It was also during this time, playing at the Garden on 48th Street, blocks away from Times Square, that the Rangers obtained their now-famous nickname “The Broadway Blueshirts”.
2. The Stanley Cup run of 1979
In 1979, the Rangers shocked the hockey world, beating the then-mighty and arch-rival New York Islanders to reach the Stanley Cup Final. Even though they ended up losing to Montreal, the playoff run was magical. Current Rangers president John Davidson was absolutely outstanding in goal.
 3. The “Bread line”
Before Artemi Panarin and his “breadman” moniker joined the Blueshirts last season, the Rangers had three longtime players known as the “Bread line”. This line existed between 1926 and 1937 and It consisted of Hall of Famers Bill Cook, Bun Cook, and Frank Boucher. This line was part of two Stanley Cup champions, in 1928 and 1933. After his playing career was over, Boucher spent time as a coach and later general manager for the Blueshirts.
4. Andy Bathgate and the goalie mask
Most Ranger fans know that Andy Bathgate was an accomplished player and led the Blueshirts to Stanley Cup glory in 1964. But the most thankful contribution he helped make was an incident that led to goalies wearing masks on a permanent basis. Renowned for the strength of his slap shot, Bathgate shot the puck into the face of Montreal Canadien Jacques Plante during a game in November of 1959, forcing Plante to receive stitches. When Plante returned to the ice, he was wearing a mask. That started a trend that led to it and other protective gear becoming mandatory equipment. Much to the dismay of plastic surgeons and dentists everywhere, the device saves many from serious injury and disfigured faces.
5. 1994 Stanley Cup Championship
While ending the “curse” was surely significant, some other memorable and thankful situations happened during this championship such as the very memorable Howie Rose call of Matteau! Matteau! Matteau! when Stephane Matteau scored a goal in double overtime, leading the team to the finals for the first time since 1979.
6. Frank Boucher’s “gathering”
As most of gather live or virtually on Thanksgiving, another unique gathering played a big role in Ranger lore. On the eve of the 1940 Cup-winning game in Toronto, Boucher eliminated the traditional serious team strategy session and instead invited his skaters to have a few beers at a hotel pub. Boucher chose the Ford Hotel for the “non-pep talk†which would be held in the hotel tavern on the afternoon the day before game six against the Maple Leafs. Author Eric Whitehead, who wrote “The Patricks — Hockey’s Royal Familyâ€, chronicled the Rangers’ unique “strategy†that spontaneously took place the night before the teams took the ice. “Boucher Frank figured that this volatile gang of his needed an extra touch such as a pint or two with dear friends in familiar surroundings.†That season Boucher also invented the “box” defense for killing penalities and implemented forechecking.
7. “The center red line”
Watching a game with constant stops due to offsides can be frustrating. Former New York Ranger Frank Boucher once again makes this lead as an innovation he created with Cecil Duncan helped open up the game, making it more enjoyable for all. The pair introduced the center red line in the 1943–44 season, in an effort to open up the game by reducing the number of offside infractions and create excitement with quicker counter-attacks. The change allowed the defending team to pass the puck out of their own zone up to the red line, instead of being required to skate over the nearest blue line and then pass the puck forward.