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What we learned from the Rangers’ COVID road trip

By Jake Mozarsky |
Jan 15, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) celebrates his goal with right wing Kaapo Kakko (24) against the Philadelphia Flyers during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) celebrates his goal with right wing Kaapo Kakko (24) against the Philadelphia Flyers during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 13, 2022; San Jose, California, USA; New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) defends the goal during the second period against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2022; San Jose, California, USA; New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) defends the goal during the second period against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

The New York Rangers return to the friendly confines of Madison Square Garden after their longest road trip of the season.  Battered by the pandemic and facing stiff competition, they fnished with a 3-2 record.  More important that the ones is that they team answered some important questions that they were facing as the new year began.

Shesterkin is #1

This is an obvious one, but the Rangers are a MUCH better team when Igor Shesterkin is on the ice. The goaltender currently leads the league in Save Percentage and Goals Against Average for starters, and when New York has their backbone they are a tough team to beat.

Shesterkin returned for the final two games of this road trip for the games in San Jose and Philadelphia  and he only allowed two goals and the Rangers walked away with two wins. When Shesterkin is healthy the Rangers are much more formidable, and teams will not want to see him standing in between the goalposts.

Next, the depth question.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 26: Tim Gettinger #25 of the New York Rangers skates against the Ottawa Senators at Madison Square Garden on November 26, 2018 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Senators 4-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 26: Tim Gettinger #25 of the New York Rangers skates against the Ottawa Senators at Madison Square Garden on November 26, 2018 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Senators 4-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

The Rangers have depth

With so many regulars getting placed in COVID protocol, the Rangers called upon same names to fill the gaps, and these names stepped up. Tim Gettinger, Jonny Brodzinski, Morgan Barron and Anthony Greco all stepped up and provided the team with a much needed spark, specifically in Anaheim and San Jose.

With Dryden Hunt on Injured Reserve and Sammy Blais already being out for the season, the Rangers needed to know who can fill those spots. The road trip gave the Rangers an idea of the depth they have.

Next, maybe the biggest question answered in a big way.

Jan 13, 2022; San Jose, California, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider (45) reacts after scoring a goal during the third period against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2022; San Jose, California, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider (45) reacts after scoring a goal during the third period against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive clarity

The Rangers have a load of defensive prospects who have been competing for a place on the NHL roster. The COVID road trip allowed for some to get their chance and gave the Rangers some defensive clarity.

Braden Schneider, through two games, showed that he belongs on the NHL roster. The kid, who the Rangers traded up to get in the first round in 2020, showed up in his first two games. He scored his first NHL goal and was hard to get by defensively, and showed grit and looked like he belonged.

Schneider showed that he deserves an extended look on the NHL roster. With New York sending Nils Lundkvist and Zac Jones down to Hartford, it looks like Schneider will be getting his chance to be a regular next to Patrick Nemeth.

Finally, answering questions leads to more questions.

Apr 24, 2021; San Jose, California, USA; San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl (48) watches the big screen displaying the career of San Jose Sharks center Patrick Marleau (12), who is in the background with his family at SAP Center before the game against the Minnesota Wild at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2021; San Jose, California, USA; San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl (48) watches the big screen displaying the career of San Jose Sharks center Patrick Marleau (12), who is in the background with his family at SAP Center before the game against the Minnesota Wild at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

Who to trade for

The New York Rangers are going to make a trade. This past road trip proved that they have the depth necessary to make one. Maybe it is a top six forward, maybe someone else, but the Rangers keep proving that they are going to make a move soon.

A few names have been linked to the Rangers, including Tomas Hertl, Artturi Lekhonen and even Patrick Kane, and more will be in the next month as the March 21 trade deadline gets closer.

Currently, the Rangers sit near the top of the NHL standings, and they are ready to be buyers. If they want to be considered a Stanley Cup Contender, they will need to make a move. With a top goaltender in the league, playmakers left and right and a personality that was missing from the team in years past, New York looks much more complete. A trade will put them that much closer to what they want to accomplish in this year and the near future.

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