ONLY way the Rangers can move deep this spring is if Ryan McDonagh experiences his Brian Leetch BREAKOUT. This Andrew Shaw hit is nice. #NYR pic.twitter.com/5rE6zoRy9a — Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) April 20, 2017

In game five, New York Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh simply crushes Montreal Canadiens’ Andrew Shaw along the boards early in the game.

It’s been said by many a few times through the years …

If Ryan McDonagh wants to take that “next step,” he’ll have to experience that Brian Leetch-like Stanley Cup Playoff breakout — one that we witnessed during the spring of 1994.

While this New York Rangers team isn’t nearly as good as that club from 23 years ago, McDonagh has done his part through four-plus games in 2017.

What’s most visible about the captain’s play has been his aggression. In game four, we saw it from start to finish. McDonagh was a mad man.

In game five, through 10 minutes of play, we’re seeing it again.

In the video above, McDonagh absolutely crushes Andrew Shaw along the boards as the Habs looked to enter the zone.

With under six minutes left in period one, Montreal holds a 1-0 lead.