The New York Rangers are in the midst of their first West Coast road trip this season, and it is a super important one. After winning their first leg of the trip in Seattle, 2-0, they now set their eyes on the Vancouver Canucks on later tonight.
Here are three reasons why this road trip will set up long-term success for the rest of the season.
1. Currently the Toughest Division in Hockey
The Pacific Division, which houses each of the four Rangers opponents over the next few days, is the toughest and closest division in hockey. With just five points separating the top six teams, there is no closer race through the first month and a half of the season.
The Rangers next opponents over the next few days are the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, and then finishing off with the Stanley Cup runner-ups, the Edmonton Oilers. Each of these teams are on its way to making a playoff push, and the Rangers will have their hands full trying to whether the storm on the road.
2. Each Could be a Playoff Team
The Rangers will have a tough time with these next trio of opponents. Each could very well be on the other side of the bracket if the Rangers can make a hopeful trip to the Stanley Cup final.
Last season, Vancouver and Edmonton were both playoff teams, with the Oilers making it to the final match-up of the year before losing to the Florida Panthers. Calgary narrowly missed the playoffs and is on the outside looking in once again this year. But, with it being still early in the year, and with the division being as close as it is, it is a wide-open race out West.
3. Establishing a Good Road Record
Last season, the Rangers won the Presidents' Trophy large in part to their dominance at home, with a 30-11 record. But, their road record, which was worse when looking at how well they did at home, was not all that shabby either at 25-12-4.
In 2024-25, they have killed it on the road, with a 6-1 record in their first seven trips away from Madison Square Garden. If they can continue this trend throughout their long and wavering West Coast adventure, it will set up a precedent that the Rangers can be road warriors for the rest of the season.