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Three Regular Season Predictions For The New York Rangers

By Jake Mozarsky

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 29: The New York Rangers celebrate a second period goal by Vladimir Tarasenko #91 against the New Jersey Devils in Game Six of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 29, 2023 in New York, New York. The Rangers defeated the Devils 5-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 29: The New York Rangers celebrate a second period goal by Vladimir Tarasenko #91 against the New Jersey Devils in Game Six of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 29, 2023 in New York, New York. The Rangers defeated the Devils 5-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Ladies and gentlemen, we finally made it: The New York Rangers play a meaningful hockey game today.

Game 1 of 82 commences tonight against the Buffalo Sabres, and for the expectations New York has going into the season, it would be nice to get an opening night win.

Then again, the season is a long one that is going to be filled with ups, downs, and everything in between. Here are three predictions for the Rangers over the next few months.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 05: Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers skates against the Boston Bruins at Madison Square Garden on October 05, 2023, in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 05: Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers skates against the Boston Bruins at Madison Square Garden on October 05, 2023, in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Igor Shesterkin is a Vezina finalist

In the 2021-2022 season, Igor Shesterkin was the undisputed best goalie in the league. He posted a .935 save percentage, 2.07 goals against average, and had a record of 36-13-4. Shesterkin not only ran away with the Vezina Trophy but was a finalist for the Hart Trophy, the NHL’s MVP.

Last season, Shesterkin took a step back because it was nearly impossible to take a step forward. His lower stats were mainly because of a slump in November and December, but by the end of the season, Shesterkin reached a career-high in wins with 37. At the end of the season, after the loss to the Devils, he said next season would be “a different Igor.”

Shesterkin will be different this year, and as he has since he made his NHL debut in 2020, he will win some games for New York. Again, Shesterkin will be a Vezina finalist. Will he put up the same stats he did in the 2021-2022 season? No, he doesn’t need to. Will he win the Vezina? it’s definitely possible.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 13: Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers celebrates a goal that was later called off against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Madison Square Garden on April 13, 2023, in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 13: Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers celebrates a goal that was later called off against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Madison Square Garden on April 13, 2023, in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Artemi Panarin reaches over 95 points

The Breadman will be under a microscope this season, especially after his performance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in May. Panarin tallied only 2 points, both coming in Game 1.

But, before we go into Panarin’s postseason performance, there’s no doubt about it that he produces during the regular season. In his 2022-2023 tenure, Panarin led the Rangers in points with 92. In his three 82-game seasons for New York, this was his lowest tally, with 95 and 96 being from the other two.

Panarin should come into the season with a bitter taste in his mouth after the way last year ended. Once again, he will be the leading point-scorer for the Rangers and will be near three digits.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 10: Filip Chytil #72 and Vitali Kravtsov #74 of the New York Rangers skate against the Seattle Kraken at Madison Square Garden on February 10, 2023, in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Kraken 6-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 10: Filip Chytil #72 and Vitali Kravtsov #74 of the New York Rangers skate against the Seattle Kraken at Madison Square Garden on February 10, 2023, in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Kraken 6-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Alexis Lafreniere and Kaapo Kakko both have over 20 goals, and Filip Chytil will have over 60 points.

Many of the Rangers’ successes this year will come down to their youth, especially Filip Chytil, Kaapo Kakko, and Alexis Lafreniere. All have the talent to become stars in the league, and if there is any time to make a jump, it’s now.

This season, Lafreniere and Kakko will both score over 20 goals, which will be a career-high. They start the year as the first and second-line right-wingers, and while there will be some movement, both players have shown the ability to score. With increased opportunities, both will eclipse 20 at least.

Chytil had a career season in 2022-2023, nearly doubling his previous-high point tally to get to 45 points. This was in 74 games and a lot of time at the third-line center. Now, Peter Laviolette has the 24-year-old slotted into the second line with the team’s highest point producer, Artemi Panarin, and if this stays the same, 60 points are reachable and expected.

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