The New York Rangers had high hopes that they could put a disastrous 2024-25 season behind them and return to playoff form. So far this season, that hasn't been the case. It's been a roller coaster season for the Rangers under head coach Mike Sullivan, as there has been promise, but also plenty of reasons to be concerned.
Entering Thanksgiving Day before their Black Friday matchup against the Boston Bruins, the Rangers sit near the very bottom of the Metropolitan Division. The one thing working in their favor is that the Eastern Conference is extremely wide open, and the Rangers are just a couple of points outside a Wild Card spot. But they will need to stack wins. Unfortunately for them, they have a brutal stretch upcoming post-Thanksgiving.
Let's take a look at the three games Rangers fans should be concerned about.
Dec. 6 vs. Colorado Avalanche
When you face the best team in hockey, it's going to be a game that fans of most other teams will dread. For the most part, nearly every team is in the playoff picture, sans the Nashville Predators. But there is one team that is leaps and bounds above the rest, and that team is the Colorado Avalanche.
As of this writing, the Avalanche have the best record and most points in hockey, and it's not particularly close. Entering Nov. 26, the Avalanche had just one regulation loss through 22 games played, while picking up 16 total wins. They score at will, averaging 4.00 goals per game, the best average in hockey. Not to mention, they seemed to have solved their goaltending woes, as Scott Wedgewood and Mackenzie Blackwood have been lights out this season.
The Rangers have already played the Avalanche. Back on Nov. 20, the Rangers put up a fight through the first two periods and even held a 3-2 lead. But the Avalanche broke through with four unanswered goals to pick up the 6-3 win.
The Avalanche are a terrifying team to play against. Considering how closely the rematch is approaching, and with the injuries the Rangers are dealing with, it's going to be a challenging watch.
Dec. 15 vs. Anaheim Ducks
If there is one thing Rangers fans can bank on, it's former Rangers scoring a goal against them. On Dec. 15, the Rangers face off against the Anaheim Ducks. This past summer, the Rangers traded mainstay player Chris Kreider to the Ducks. The move was made to free up money and to get more production on the ice.
Instead, the Rangers struggled to score, particularly at home, this season. But the production has picked up after the return of Vincent Trocheck recently. But on the year, they have averaged 2.50 goals per game, third-lowest in hockey.
Meanwhile, Kreider is thriving in Anaheim. On the year, Kreider has 10 goals and five assists through 18 games played. It's the kind of production the Rangers have been missing this season.
But as a whole, the Ducks are one of the best teams in hockey, particularly on offense. The Ducks have scored an average of 3.59 goals per game, the second best in the NHL.
All in all, the Ducks are going to be a tough opponent for the Rangers. Don't be shocked if Kreider scores a goal or two in his return to Madison Square Garden.
Winter Classic (Jan. 2) vs. Florida Panthers
If there has been one team that has been an absolute nightmare for the Rangers recently, it's the Florida Panthers.
Look no further than the 2024 playoffs. After New York narrowly escaped the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Carolina Hurricanes, they had to face the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Rangers lost in six games, as the Panthers completely demoralized them throughout the series.
Last season, the Rangers dropped two of three games. This season, their first matchup against Florida will be in the Winter Classic.
Yes, the Panthers are dealing with an insane amount of injuries and aren't dominating like they have in the past couple of seasons. But, they are going to get healthier. It's not out of the realm of possibility that the Panthers will get Matthew Tkachuck back sooner rather than later. Tkachuk has been sidelined since the Stanley Cup Final due to a torn adductor muscle and sports hernia. Recently, Tkachuk returned to skating. He was expected to return at some point in December, and it seems to be trending in that direction.
By Jan. 2, the Panthers should be a lot healthier, and that could spell trouble for the Rangers. As fans know, a healthy Panthers team is a pain to play against.