New York Rangers stock market: Life after playoff elimination
After being officially eliminated from playoff contention on March 23rd, will the New York Rangers accept defeat and slow down? Or will they pick up the pace even more? We use their stats from this month to predict whose “stock” has risen and fallen, and how their seasons will end.
Record since March 17: 3-3-0 , six points;
3-2 L vs. DET
2-1 OTW @ TOR
5-2 L vs. PIT
6-3 L @ BOS
4-2 W vs. STL
3-0 W @ PHI
Record so far this season: 31-34-13; 75 points
Standings: 26th in the NHL, 12th in the Eastern Conference, Seventh in the Metropolitan Division
On March 23rd, 2019, despite their win against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the New York Rangers were mathematically eliminated from the 2019 NHL playoffs. While this can definitely sting from a fan’s point of view, it’s not like this was unexpected.
The fanbase knew going into this campaign that it would be a rebuilding year, a time for seeing what the organization has and what is needed to contend in a few years. While some players have had trouble staying afloat on this sinking team, others have risen above it and had individual success.
In the 3-2 loss versus the Detroit Red Wings, the Rangers’ goals were scored by Ryan Strome from Kevin Shattenkirk and Pavel Buchnevich and Brendan Smith from Brett Howden and Neal Pionk. In the 2-1 overtime win at the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York’s tallies were courtesy of Buchnevich from Brady Skjei and Shattenkirk and Strome from Cristoval “Boo” Nieves.
During the 5-2 loss versus the Pittsburgh Penguins, the New York Rangers who had goals were Brendan Lemieux from Buchnevich and Mika Zibanejad, as well as Vinni Lettieri from Tony DeAngelo and Filip Chytil. In the 6-3 loss at the Boston Bruins, New York’s goal scorers were Zibanejad from Strome and Buchnevich, Strome from Howden and Skjei, and Zibanejad from Vladislav Namestnikov and DeAngelo.
Bouncing back in a 4-2 win against the St. Louis Blues, the Rangers’ goals were brought to you by Strome, Buchnevich from Zibanejad, Jimmy Vesey from Howden and Lettieri, and Chris Kreider from Buchnevich and Pionk. Finally, in the shutout win at the Flyers, New York’s goalscorers were Buchnevich from Zibanejad and Kreider, Strome from Howden and Smith, and Skjei from Strome and Howden.
Up: Ryan Strome
When all is said and done, Ryan Strome will definitely be considered one of the brightest spots of this season. Acquired by the team on November 16th, he has recorded 31 points, made up of 17 goals and 14 assists, in 59 games.
This brings him to 18 goals and 15 assists for 33 points so far this year. With his 18th goal against the Flyers, he topped his previous career high of 17 goals.
Furthermore, he only needs one more point, goal or assist, to match his total number of points from last year (34). Since March 17th, he has notched seven points (five goals and two assists) in six games, averaging over a point per game.
This stretch has also included two multi-point games, sometimes a rarity for the forward. He’s really starting to prove that he belongs on this team.
He sits at fifth on the Rangers in points, 11th in assists, and fifth in goals. At just 25 years old (26 this offseason), keeping Strome for a few more years is something New York could almost definitely benefit from.
He’s young, but still a veteran in a sense, and has carved out his own niche on this squad. His 17 goals with the Rangers are the most a newly acquired player has gotten with their new team this season (2018-2019).
Under contract for one more year, many fans already consider him trade bait, but the New York Rangers should consider holding on to Ryan Strome. His performance so far this year has been a pleasant surprise, which continued during this stretch of the season.
Down: Jimmy Vesey
One of the players unfortunately currently suffering from a point drought is none other than Jimmy Vesey. He had been held scoreless in the month of March before finally tallying a goal in the win against the Blues.
Although that ended his goal drought, Vesey is still without an assist. His last helper came on February 27th.
So far, this has been a great season for the forward. He surpassed his career highs in points and goals and has matched his previous career high in assists as well.
With a few more games left in the season, he will most likely add to all of these milestones totals. However, the 25-year-old needs to pick up the pace a bit.
He is still fourth on the team in goals, fifth in assists, and fourth in points. Unfortunately, the left-wing will not be able to maintain these positions if he continues in this slump.
He has had just one point in this stretch, his goal against the Blues that ended his previous offensive woes. Considering how great he has been during this campaign, Jimmy Vesey will most likely bounce back, but this drought is a bit concerning.
Up: Pavel Buchnevich
Pavel Buchnevich has been one of the hottest players on the New York Rangers for the past few weeks. Since March 17th, he has been averaging just over one point per game with seven points in six games
The forward is also currently riding out a seven-game point streak, one that began on March 16th. Through that stretch, he has recorded eight points (four goals and four assists).
This streak has also included one multi-point game. In the win against St. Louis, the right-wing had both a goal and an assist for two points.
So far this season, Buchnevich has 20 goals and 17 assists for a total of 37 points. He has crushed his career high in goals, reaching 20 for the first time (his previous best was 14).
As for points, he is close to his total from last year, which was 43 (he currently has 36). He may be able to get a bit closer or even match it in the remaining games before the season ends.
In team rankings, the 23-year-old sits at third on the team in goals and points. He is currently eighth in assists.
At the end of this year’s campaign, one of the season’s greatest success stories should be Pavel Buchnevich. The addition of coach David Quinn has helped him a lot, and he has really stepped up his game as a valuable part of this team this year.
Down: Lias Andersson
Unfortunately, Lias Andersson’s “stock” has gone down recently. He hasn’t had a point since February 24th, an assist against the Washington Capitals.
On the season thus far, the former seventh overall pick has one goal and four assists for five points in 37 games. Since expectations have been so high for him, this is a bit of a let-down for some fans.
Obviously, the transition from anywhere to the NHL is a difficult one. Andersson came up from the AHL after a significant amount of time there this season, which could explain his struggles.
Another potential reason why he isn’t doing too great this year? Lias Andersson is just 20 years old, was drafted in 2017, is only in his second season in the NHL, and has never spent a full season in the league.
While it would have been comforting to see the former first-round selection come out swinging, scoring at a point-per-game pace and looking like a seasoned veteran, that just isn’t realistic. It takes time for players to develop, especially when they are this young and inexperienced.
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So, don’t give up on Lias Andersson just yet. Give him a little bit more time in the “big leagues” and he just might step it up and surprise you, making you forget his current drought entirely.