The New York Rangers started the season with a rough 1-4-1 record after six games. The team found themselves tied for last place in the league and in worse shape than the prior season. The statistics showed that the Rangers played well during four of the six games, but were not rewarded with positive results. The results improved for the team over the next set of six games with the Rangers recording a 3-1-2 record.
This is the second in a series of report cards for the New York Rangers. The team is being graded after every sixth game, equal to 10 percent of the 56 game schedule. The team will be judged not only on their play during each six game stretch, but in a running comparison to review both improvements and regressions in their play.
While results are important to the standings and the hopes of making the playoffs, it is the in-game improvements in play that are of more importance to the rebuild.
The state of the New York Rangers Rebuild
The New York Rangers second set of six games was far more fruitful than the first six. The record alone was in stark contrast to their previous outcomes. But, did they play any better to achieve the more pleasing results? Did they just stick with the process and finally get rewarded? or did they find regressions in their game that are overlooked because the results were positive?
One of the primary changes was that the Rangers learned how to win. They did not break when Buffalo tied a game on a third period power play goal, winning in overtime on the first goal of Alexis Lafrenière’s career. After falling in overtime to the Pittsburgh Penguins they managed a comeback win against the same Penguins just two nights later.
They would follow up that win with a complete game effort against Washington, scoring early and holding onto the lead throughout. Though they were unable to break through against the New York Islanders, they played well until two defensive zone breakdowns led to goals costing them the game, or at least a chance to get it to overtime. In the final game of the six, the Rangers went toe to toe with the Boston Bruins, falling in overtime.