There is a sense that the New York Rangers are having a little bit of a problem to start the 2025-26 season. After dropping another game at home to the Carolina Hurricanes, 3-0, there are a ton of things to take away from the game.
But, these three really stand above the rest, and some of them have an impact on the rest of the season.
Let's talk about it.
Madison Square Garden needs to be cleansed with sage
The Rangers were just shut out for the fourth time on home ice this season. It is just a few days into the second month of the season. What is going on inside the doors of the most famous arena?
At 0-5-1 on home ice, it is incredible how much of a difference this team looks in their home blueshirts and the away whites. Against a young goaltender making his first start of the season, Pyotr Kochetkov, they got him flustered early but then decided to leave him be in the third period with a single shot on net.
The New York Knicks have a perfect record of 4-0 on home court, so the idea of MSG being cursed is not a valid one. But the case for the basketball team stealing all of the mojo and vibes from the building makes complete sense. The Rangers performances at home are still just a real head-scratcher and don't make any sense.
Offense still can't buy a goal at home
The Rangers are struggling at home this season. The worst part is that their starting goaltender is having an above-average year, but still losing games.
The offense just cannot get itself together on home ice, and that was relevant in the final period and a half of the game. With just one shot over the final 28 minutes of playtime, there is no excuse for that to happen.
Alexis Lafreniere is not scoring goals, Artemi Panarin is not scoring goals, and Mika Zibanejad is not scoring goals. The list goes on and on of Rangers failing to make an impact on home ice.
Igor Shesterkin held his own... again
If you were to name a most valuable player for the Rangers, in a losing effort, it would be Shesterkin. The Hurricanes have a very talented offense, with 44 goals on the year as a group.
In this game, Shesterkin had 29 saves, including five high-danger opportunities from the Hurricanes. He had a 0.88 goals saved above expected, keeping the Rangers within striking distance. The rest of the team just couldn't find a way to help their netminder out.