New York Rangers desperately need a change as they're set to face their biggest challenges yet
Photo credit: New York Post
With the New York Rangers giving up six of their last seven games, they're a cautionary tale in the league to watch.
Their last game saw them give up five goals to the rival New Jersey Devils.
The team has failed to put together a good 60 minutes of hockey this season, as this could put the core at risk, with GM Chris Drury's continued threats of trades occurring.
December won't be any easier for the Rangers, as they will be playing 12 more games in the next 26 days before 2024 ends.
Six of these teams are in a playoff position, while the Rangers could be held out of the playoffs if they fail to execute.
December
The next three games at home will see the Rangers face off against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Seattle Kraken, and Chicago Blackhawks.
The Rangers have a solid history of winning against the Kraken, but the Rangers should take note of the Penguins' four-game win streak.
These are the kind of games against teams who aren't contenders and could help give players like Vinnie Troecheck, and Mika Zibanejad to get back on track.
While they'll have to fend off a Sabres team who ransacked MSG the last time they showed up winning 6-1. An unexpected result from a team whose been bottom-dwelling this season.
Important Matchups
Their games in the Western Conference will be important, as they take on the Los Angeles Kings who are in the running for a playoff spot.
While afterward, they take on the Dallas Stars who always find themselves in the postseason, and the lowly Nashville Predators, who should be easy prey.
The Rangers are 4-4-1 against the Western Conference, so it'll be interesting to see if they see if they can fend off a Blues team, which beat them 5-2.
The Kings have been playing well lately, winning their last three games and currently sit second in the Pacific Division. The Blues have been playing better since their coaching change and have won five of their last ten. The Predators have been a disaster so far this season, sitting second to last in the Western Conference despite having so much talent and adding so much over the offseason. That game could be considered a «trap» game in which the Rangers should be winning
Final 4 Games: The Toughest Stretch
The Eastern Conference stretch after they make their next Western trip, will be one of the toughest and full of matchups against their rivals.
The Rangers will be facing off against the Carolina Hurricanes, and New Jersey Devils two teams who have the Rangers number.
Then they'll move south and face off against two of the toughest teams in the Atlantic Division with the Florida Panthers, and Tampa Bay Lightning.
In order for the Rangers to save their season, and face they'll need to turn their game around. That includes players like Mika Zibanejad, Vinnie Troecheck, Reilly Smith, and Chris Kreider contributing significantly.
Otherwise, this core is not a winning team and GM Chris Drury may have to blow it up by March.
This is a crucial stretch of games for the Rangers, can Peter Laviolette turn it around?
Previously on NYRangersInsider
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 5 | 871 ANSWERS New York Rangers desperately need a change as they're set to face their biggest challenges yet Do you think the New York Rangers can win a significant amount of their games in the Western and Eastern Conference? | ||
| Yes | 496 | 56.9 % |
| No | 375 | 43.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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