Rangers’ Rollercoaster Season: Early Momentum Squelched by Mid-Season Struggles
The New York Rangers embarked on the 2024-25 NHL season with high hopes and promising performances, recording an impressive 12-4-1 by November 20, 2024. This strong start propelled them to the fifth spot in the NHL standings, a mere three points short of topping the Metro Division. However, the subsequent game against the Calgary Flames marked the beginning of an unforeseen downturn.
On November 21, the Rangers suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat to the Flames, setting off a series of unfortunate events that saw the team stumble considerably. They recorded a troublesome 6-16-0 streak over the next 22 games, a period during which their goal differential plunged to minus-30. This drop was not just a dip in form but a nosedive that left them languishing in seventh place in their division and 14th in the Eastern Conference.
Frustration among Rangers fans and analysts grew, prompting significant moves by the management, including trading away the team captain and a previous No. 1 overall pick. These changes underscored the urgency within the Rangers' ranks to rectify their faltering season.
Adding to the turmoil, Chris Kreider was sidelined as a healthy scratch on December 23, highlighting the coaching staff’s willingness to make bold decisions in pursuit of improved performance. Last season, Kreider was instrumental in a Rangers' power play conversion rate that stood at an impressive 26.4%, third in the NHL. However, this season has seen that rate dwindle to a lackluster 17.1%, ranking them 26th, a fall that encapsulates the team’s current struggles.
The power play woes extend beyond percentages. Despite significant time on the man advantage, Will Cuylle spent 32 minutes without registering a goal, though he showed promise by tying for third on the team with 11 even-strength goals. His contribution at even strength is a silver lining in an otherwise grim landscape for the Rangers' power play unit.
Defensively, the team has been porous, with key players struggling. Mika Zibanejad, a pivotal figure in the Rangers’ lineup, finds himself ranked 601st out of 610 in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) among players who have logged at least 200 minutes on ice. Similarly, Chris Kreider's defensive metrics have raised eyebrows; he ranks 563rd with an xGA/60 of 2.96, figures that starkly contrast his offensive capabilities.
The Rangers’ season, once brimming with promise, is now at a crossroads. Their offense, power play efficiency, and defensive solidity need revitalizing to salvage a campaign that started on such a bright note but has since dimmed. As fans and pundits alike keep a watchful eye on the team's maneuverings and on-ice adjustments, the hope remains that this storied franchise can turn its season around before the gap widens further in the standings. For now, the Rangers sit in an unenviable position, striving to recapture the early-season form that once had them amongst the NHL’s elite.