Analysis

Apr 17, 2021; New York, New York, USA; The New York Rangers celebrate a 6-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: POOL PHOTOS-USA TODAY Sports

Buchnevich’s birthday hat trick leads Rangers to a sloppy 6-3 win

Can they make it three in a row versus the Devils?

What’s the deal with Zac Jones?

Panarin leads the way in 4-0 win over the Devils

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - APRIL 13: Igor Shesterkin #31 and the New York Rangers defend the net against the New Jersey Devils during the third period at the Prudential Center on April 13, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Going for 2 in a row against the Devils

Apr 13, 2021; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) is congratulated by center Brett Howden (21) after the game against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Shesterkin’s first shutout as the Rangers blank Devils 3-0

Mar 4, 2021; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) makes a save on a shot by New Jersey Devils center Janne Kuokkanen (59) during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

No deadline moves, Jones signs as NYR start a 4-game series in N.J.

New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin (10) celebrates after a goal . Credit: Bruce Bennett/Pool Photos-USA TODAY Sports

What happened to the Rangers’ power play?

Travis Zajac #14 of the New York Islanders pushes Ryan Strome #16 of the New York Rangers during the second period at the Nassau Coliseum . (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Rangers lose 3-2 in overtime, was that good or bad?

The New York Rangers salute their fans Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

Too little, too late? Projecting games 41-50

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - APRIL 09: Adam Fox #23 and Alexandar Georgiev #40 of the New York Rangers defend the net against Matt Martin #17 of the New York Islanders at Nassau Coliseum on April 09, 2021 in Uniondale, New York. The Rangers defeated the Islanders 4-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

In a 4-1 win, the Rangers play their best to beat the best

Apr 8, 2021; New York, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Jason Zucker (16) celebrates his goal scored against the New York Rangers during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Bennett/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports

You could see this coming as Rangers lose 5-2

Apr 6, 2021; New York, New York, USA; Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers makes the second period save as Evan Rodrigues #9 of the Pittsburgh Penguins slides into the net at Madison Square Garden on April 06, 2021 in New York City. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Bennett/POOL PHOTOS-USA TODAY Sports

Another Rangers goal explosion in an 8-4 win over Pittsburgh

New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (93) and Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) fight for the puck. Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

It’s time to beat the Penguins

New York Rangers salute their fans. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Who could be traded at the deadline?

The New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden . (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

New York Rangers: What if the standings were in the traditional divisions?

Mar 22, 2021; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox (23) hits Buffalo Sabres left wing Jeff Skinner (53) during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Bennett/POOL PHOTOS-USA TODAY Sports

Rangers’ mission: Get the Sabres back on a losing track

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 14: Tony DeAngelo #77 of the New York Rangers skates against the New York Islanders at Madison Square Garden on January 14, 2021 in New York City. The Islanders defeated the Rangers 4-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Why the Panthers may be willing to take on DeAngelo

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 30: Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers celebrates his third period goal against the Washington Capitals during their game at Madison Square Garden on March 30, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

What a comeback! A 5-2 win over the Capitals

Mar 28, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Rangers right wing Julien Gauthier (12) attempts a wrap around against Washington Capitals goaltender Ilya Samsonov (30) during the third period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports

Rangers claw back, but too little too late & lose 5-4

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 25: Brendan Lemieux #48 of the New York Rangers looks on prior to the game against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 25, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Rangers face the Capitals without Brendan Lemieux, traded to L.A.

Mar 27, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Rangers defenceman Jacob Trouba (8) blocks a pass as Philadelphia Flyers right wing Nicolas Aube-Kubel (62) turns in the second period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports

A 2-1 loss to the Flyers proves that you can’t win them all

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 25: Ryan Strome #16 of the New York Rangers gets into an altercation with Claude Giroux #28 of the Philadelphia Flyers in the first period at the Wells Fargo Center on March 25, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Fourth chapter Rangers-Flyers, 7 goals in this game?

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 25: Colin Blackwell #43, Jacob Trouba #8, Mika Zibanejad #93, K'Andre Miller #79, and Brendan Lemieux #48 of the New York Rangers celebrate after a goal against the Philadelphia Flyers in the second period at the Wells Fargo Center on March 25, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Expectations for the East Division and its impact on the playoff picture

Mar 17, 2021; New York, New York, USA; The New York Rangers celebrate after a goal by right wing Pavel Buchnevich (89) against the Philadelphia Flyers at 1:38 of the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Bennett/POOL PHOTOS-USA TODAY Sports

Can the New York Rangers make a run for the playoffs?

Mar 25, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (93) celebrates his goal with left wing Artemi Panarin (10) and left wing Chris Kreider (20) against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

No work of art, but a big 8-3 win over the Flyers

Mar 17, 2021; New York, New York, USA; The New York Rangers skate against the Philadelphia Flyers with a 9-0 lead during the third period at Madison Square Garden at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Bennett/POOL PHOTOS-USA TODAY Sports

Rangers face a Flyers team looking for revenge

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 16: Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers clears the puck in the first period against the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden on February 16, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

New York Rangers: Igor Shesterkin returning to lineup