New York Rangers: Five storylines that will change by game 20

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COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 13: Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Artemi Panarin (9) scores a goal during the third period in a game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the New York Rangers on October 13, 2017, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH.(Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Back of the pack

Currently the Rangers sit dead last in the Metropolitan Division standings. Through six games they have two points. They are six points back of first place and are tied for the most games played in the league so far this season. None of that matters.

The Rangers are far too talented a group to be last in the division by the time game number 20 roles around. In fact, I would be surprised if the Rangers weren’t jousting for a wild card spot by that time of the season. The fact remains that the product on the ice can and should be a whole lot better. It may be taking a little longer than people would have liked, but there isn’t any reason to believe that the Rangers core can’t come together and start winning games.

If you go back to the 2013-2014 season, the Rangers started out 3-7 in their first 10 games. That same year they went on to play in the Stanley Cup. A year later in 2014-2015 New York started a mediocre 7-7-4 and ended up one win away from back to back Stanley Cup appearances. The Rangers have been used to slow starts and their two most memorable seasons in recent history have been the bi-product of starts much like the one seen this year, that just won’t continue.

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