For anyone who has watched the New York Rangers over the past few games, there's an easy conclusion that could be made - the Blueshirts are not playing good hockey.
In their games, the Rangers have not been the dominating force that they were at the start of the season. They've been out-shot in four out of six games and got blasted by the inferior Buffalo Sabres 6-1 last Thursday night.
This has been a trend for New York since October 26. According to moneypuck.com, the Rangers' expected goal differential at even strength was a league-high 6.611, but has only decreased since; now it is at 1.418. There are a lot more stats that indidcate that New York is not playing good hockey.
But, even with bad play, the Rangers are still winning hockey games. New York has won four out of six and sit at 9-3-2 at the early season. While there is a lot to figure out and some big concerns, the Rangers are finding ways to win, most recently on Saturday night against the Detroit Red Wings.
It's been like this for years for New York, and at the center of all of it is goaltending. There is no better tandem in the NHL right now than Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick. In the Rangers' last performance, Quick earned the 61st shutout of his career in a 4-0 victory, making 37 saves.
JONATHAN QUICK. pic.twitter.com/WMZeIGIs5N
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) November 10, 2024
Look at New York's past four victories - all can be attributed to goalie heroics:
Oct. 26 vs Anaheim: Quick makes 32 saves, wins first star in 2-1 win.
Nov. 1 vs Ottawa: Shesterkin makes 40 saves, wins first star in 2-1 win.
Nov. 3 vs the Islanders: Shesterkin makes 35 saves in 5-2 win.
Nov. 9: Quick makes 37 saves, wins first star in 4-0 win.
This trend is nothing new, and with good goaltending, the Rangers have margin for error. For years now, they have been able to defy average 5v5 play with elite goaltending and special teams. This is once again the case this season - New York has the sixth ranked power play and first ranked penalty kill in the NHL.
When a team has elite special teams and goaltending, it stands a chance in any game. The Rangers were not the best even strength team in the NHL last season, but won the Presidents' Trophy behind this model. That's why they've had success over the past three seasons.
But, this does not mean New York's play is excusable.
Peter Laviolette said it a few games ago, and it's true - the Rangers cannot rely on Shesterkin and Quick throughout the entire season the way they are.
""We've been under siege a little bit too much and relying on our goaltenders too much.""Peter Laviolette, postgame after Buffalo
There are a lot of problems that need to be addressed, such as Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider's play at 5v5, defensive pairings and just overall consistency on any given night. This all needs to be solved if New York wants to be a legitimate Stanley Cup Contender. Right now, it doesn't look like one.
Though, they have found ways to win.
Is the point of this piece to defend the Rangers' play? No, absolutely not.
But, it's been like this for years, and don't be surprised if it is for the rest of this season. New York can get outplayed at even strength and have points in the game where it is clearly the second best team. Behind Shesterkin or Quick and the possibility that the power play can score any given time, the Rangers are always in punching distance.
A lot has to be fixed, but the sky is not falling.