The New York Rangers entered the 2022-2023 NHL season as one of the favorites to hoist the Stanley Cup at the end of the year. After exceeding expectations last postseason, the Blueshirts now have a target on their backs; everyone knows how good they can be, and at the end of the year nobody will want to play them.
But forget that for a second: what if they don’t make it to the end of the year?
At the start of the season, most would have had the Rangers making the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and the team entered the year as a favorite to win the Metropolitan Division. But, after a slow start to the year combined with other Metro teams playing better than everyone expected, it’s possible for New York to miss the playoffs outright.
Unless the Rangers get their problems solved fast, the Stanley Cup dreams will continue to slip away.
It’s only a month into the season and New York has experienced two separate three-game losing streaks, including one that went four games. To put that into context, the Rangers did not have a four-game losing streak all of last season, and only one that lasted three games.
If the Rangers continue to drop games, especially if they turn into losing streaks, their season expectations are going to change a ton. New York has lost five out of their last seven and is running out of excuses. While they were considered a cup contender, they don’t look like one.
Also, in the Metropolitan Division, the Rangers cannot afford to dig themselves a hole.
Look at the Metro: The Devils are playing their best hockey in years, the Islanders have won seven of their last nine, and the Hurricanes are essentially the same team as last year. Furthermore, Philadelphia looks much better than they were supposed to be (then again, it’s early in the year), and can you really count out Pittsburgh and Washington? There are a lot of competitive teams in the division that can hinder the Rangers’ chances of finishing at the top.
Expectations were high going into the season and that should be the case; the Rangers are one of the most talented teams in hockey. But, they have not shown that this season. They have not had a complete performance since the opener against Tampa Bay and each loss continues to sting more.
The Rangers need to get out of this funk and play complete hockey games.
There are no more excuses with this team. They’re not dealing with injuries. They’re not a rebuilding team waiting for the kids to emerge. They are a team that just made the Eastern Conference Finals and is expected to be there again.
Don’t expect this Rangers team to be unless something changes quickly. Gerard Gallant and the Blueshirts have a lot of work to do.
They better right the ship before it is too late.