The New York Rangers have shown a worrying pattern so far this season: they just can’t seem to find their rhythm against the NHL’s best teams. They could easily get hot and flip that narrative, sitting in a favorable spot in the standings, but something’s not quite right. Every time they face top-tier opponents, their weaknesses become obvious.
It’s the same problems that eliminated them from the playoffs in the past. It’s not that the start is bad, but Rangers fans scarred from the past know where a start like this usually has a brutal seasons end. Their latest games on their road trip proved this point again with the same old problems. The defense falls apart, goals don’t come easily, and their game plan doesn’t match up well against better teams. We need to understand their systemic issues, how individual players stack up, and what they can do to turn things around.
Systematic Breakdowns Under Pressure
Peter Laviolette has to be frustrated with his defensive system. Which hasn’t built on the foundation they established last season. The team uses a dual-forechecking approach that delivers mixed results against elite competition. Despite a strong 12-6-1 record, the Rangers have faced challenges and have shown their weaknesses in recent losses to the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers.
The neutral zone numbers raise some red flags. The Rangers’ shot attempt percentage dropped from 50.09% last season to 47.06% this season. Their cautious neutral zone approach has resulted in more turnovers, fewer takeaway chances, and problems building speed through neutral ice
Defensive zone coverage gaps
In five out of their six losses, the Rangers have given up 5+ goals. They had 12 such losses in the 2023-2024 season. Some games came against high scoring teams, and some games they just came out flat.
The New York Rangers’ defense is struggling despite Igor Shesterkin’s stellar goaltending, impacting their performance in the 2023-24 NHL season. After a strong 5-0-1 start, the Rangers have gone 7-6-0 in their last 13 games. With defensive lapses leading to multiple high-scoring losses all eyes are on the defensive leaders of the team. Key defensemen like K’Andre Miller, Adam Fox, Ryan Lindgren, and Jacob Trouba are underperforming, and it seems like nobody wants the full-time job on the third pairing. Braden Schneider brings an offensive mindset, but no enforcer on defense to counteract that. The team’s forwards also share responsibility for inadequate defensive play. The Rangers’ success hinges on improved defensive consistency and commitment, as evidenced by their ability to limit opponents to two goals or fewer in 11 of their 12 wins.
Key Player Performance Issues
Mika Zibanejad’s five-on-five game has taken a noticeable downturn. The center has only managed four goals and ten assists in 19 games. It’s also noticeable on the defensive side. There are games he appears lifeless and turnovers create quick scoring opportunities for the opponent. Zibanejad shoots at his lowest career rate, being on pace for only 164 shots, down from 221 last season and 251 in 2022-2023. In fact, it is almost December and he has yet to score a power play goal.
#NYR are 1-6 in games against teams currently in a playoff spot.
— Stat Boy Steven 🇳🇱 (@StatBoy_Steven) November 24, 2024
In those 7 games, they are out scored 16-30 🙄
Steve Valiquette holds this team more accountable than this damn coaching staff and he’s in a fucking studio #NYR
— Lafreniere For MVP (@Laf4MVP_) November 24, 2024
Forward line chemistry problems
The team’s offensive flow suffers from line combination issues. Splitting up longtime linemates Zibanejad and Chris Kreider shows these difficulties. The bottom six forwards have outperformed the top six in both expected and actual goals this season.
They have been actively shuffling his offensive lines to ignite a more consistent scoring output. Despite a recent stretch of wins, the team’s offense has struggled, prompting Laviolette to implement significant changes. Earlier in November 2024, he reverted to the season-opening line combinations, reuniting Chris Kreider with Mika Zibanejad and Reilly Smith on the top line. This move aimed to reignite chemistry and offensive production, particularly for Zibanejad, who has his challenges. These tactical shifts highlight the Rangers’ commitment to finding the right balance and maximizing their offensive potential as they navigate the competitive NHL season. These problems go beyond individual stats. The team’s even-strength scoring has declined. The Rangers’ top five players’ goals percentage has fallen from ~53 % to ~45% this season.
Metropolitan Division
The Rangers’ story in one of hockey’s most competitive divisions unfolds through the Metropolitan Division standings. The team sits fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 12-6-1 record and 25 points. A fierce divisional race surrounds the Rangers. The Devils lead by five points with 30 points after 23 games. The standings paint a clear picture:
- Devils (30 points, 14-7-2)
- Hurricanes (29 points, 14-5-1)
- Capitals (27 points, 13-6-1)
- Rangers (25 points, 12-6-1)
The Rangers need to step up their game against Metropolitan Division rivals. Their divisional record stands at 2-1-0 meaning the biggest challenges are yet to come.
Potential Trade targets
If they still believe in this core, the Rangers’ front office has spotted several possible trade targets before the deadline. If you’re trying to address their dire needs quickly, here are some names that come to mind.
Player | Position | Key Attribute |
Patrick Kane | Forward | Scoring touch |
Jakob Chychrun | Defense | Puck-moving skills |
Christian Dvorak | Center | Two-way reliability |
Frank Vatrano | Forward | Goal-scoring |
General Manager Chris Drury has to keep his options even before the 2025 Trade Deadline. With approximately $2.43 million in salary cap space, GM Chris Drury faces challenges in acquiring impactful defensive reinforcements. The Rangers’ success hinges on improved defensive consistency and that is where Chris Drury’s mind has to be.
Going From Good to Great
The Rangers are facing some big challenges that just need quick action from everyone involved. This is what many fans feared when they trotted out the same team that lost last year on opening night. There may be some minor adjustments or some people missing but no players are shifting the needle. Artemi Panarin is off to a great scoring start, but it is meaningless if there isn’t good team hockey. The Metropolitan Division standings are close, and the Rangers plenty of chances to move up but many teams are on the rise. Now the race includes the Devils and Capitals who are on ascending pace than they were last year. Their success will come down to fixing those system breakdowns and holding off their tough division rivals.
The Rangers have enough talent and resources to push through these challenges. Well-planned trades, tweaks to their system, and elevated play from their stars will lift their position in the standings. Time is running short as they head into some vital upcoming games. Even though it’s only November, Ranger fans know the typical bitter end at the end of the road.
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