Rangers’ Roller Coaster Season Raises Questions
The New York Rangers' 2024-25 NHL season began with soaring expectations. By November 20, the team had impressed fans and analysts with a 12-4-1 start, positioning themselves fifth in the NHL standings. However, this promising early performance only placed them three points behind the leaders in the fiercely competitive Metro Division. The season, however, soon took a turbulent turn.
On November 21, the Rangers faced the Calgary Flames in a closely contested match, ultimately losing 3-2. This loss marked the beginning of an alarming decline for the team. Over the ensuing 22 games, the Rangers experienced a dramatic downturn, managing only a 6-16-0 record. During this stretch, the team's goal differential deteriorated to a concerning minus-30, which saw them plummet to seventh place in their division and a disheartening 14th in the Eastern Conference.
Looking for answers, Rangers management decided to make significant changes. Key moves included the unexpected trading of their captain and a former No. 1 overall pick, decisions aimed at shaking up the dynamics within the team. One noteworthy decision was the benching of seasoned forward Chris Kreider, who was listed as a healthy scratch on December 23. This indicated a bold approach by the management, seeking to wake the team from its slumber.
Another area of the game suffering from a notable dip in performance was the Rangers’ power play conversion rate. Last season, they had proudly boasted one of the most efficient power plays in the league, converting 26.4% of their opportunities and ranking an impressive third in the NHL. However, this season, the power play has faltered significantly, dropping to a conversion rate of 17.1% and placing the Rangers a disappointing 26th in the league standings.
Will Cuylle, a player who had shown promise, spent 32 minutes on the power play but failed to find the back of the net. Nevertheless, Cuylle demonstrated his effectiveness when skating at even strength, tying for third on the team with 11 even-strength goals. This serves as a glimmer of hope within an otherwise challenging season.
However, the Rangers' defensive metrics paint a concerning picture. Mika Zibanejad, a key figure for the team, ranks 601st out of 610 players in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) among players with at least 200 minutes of ice time. This highlighting defensive vulnerabilities that have plagued the Rangers. Meanwhile, Chris Kreider ranks 563rd with a 2.96 xGA/60. These statistics underscore an urgent need for the team to bolster their defensive resilience.
The Rangers now find themselves at a crossroads. With their early season momentum seemingly vanished, the challenges ahead are both numerous and formidable. As they strive to regain their composure and chart a course back up the standings, fans will be watching closely, hopeful that the once-promising season can be salvaged.
With key players needing to step up and new strategies required on both ends of the ice, the coming months will be a true test of character for this team. The Rangers have shown in past seasons that they have the talent and grit to compete at the highest level, but translating that into consistent performances on the ice will determine their fate this season.