Rangers’ Rollercoaster Season: A Tale of Ups and Downs
A Promising Start
As the 2024-25 NHL season commenced, the New York Rangers hit the ice with vigor, achieving a promising record of 12-4-1 by November 20, 2024. This impressive start placed them comfortably in fifth position in the league standings, a mere three points away from taking the lead in the competitive Metro Division. Fans were optimistic, and the season seemed poised for success.
Turning Tides
However, not long after, the tides turned. A narrow 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Calgary Flames on November 21 seemed to jinx the Rangers, spiraling them into a challenging phase. Across the next 22 games, the team struggled significantly, ending up with a disappointing 6-16-0 streak. This disheartening period left the Rangers with a goal differential of minus-30, and their standings plummeted to seventh in their division and 14th in the Eastern Conference.
Management, seeing the urgent need for change, made bold moves. They traded their captain and a former No. 1 overall pick, hoping to reshape the team's fortunes. Chris Kreider, surprisingly, found himself a healthy scratch on December 23 — a move that was shocking to many.
Power Play Predicaments
Last season, the Rangers were a power play powerhouse, converting at an impressive rate of 26.4%, which ranked them third in the NHL. This season, however, the power play has hit a snag, dipping to just 17.1% and placing them 26th in the league. The struggles were further epitomized by Will Cuylle, who spent 32 minutes on the power play without scoring, despite being tied for third on the team with 11 even-strength goals.
Defense Under the Microscope
The Rangers' defensive issues have also been laid bare. Mika Zibanejad ranks 601st out of 610 players in xGA/60 among those with at least 200 minutes of ice time. Similarly, Chris Kreider ranks 563rd with a 2.96 xGA/60. These statistics tell a story of defensive shortcomings that the team needs to address.
As the season progresses, the Rangers’ journey will undoubtedly be watched closely by fans and analysts alike. With management shaking things up, can they regain their momentum, or will this season become one of rebuilding and reassessment?