The Three Major Threats to the New York Rangers Stanley Cup Ambitions and Aspirations

We all know, we've all seen. The New York Rangers are going to the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs. We're set to see the Blueshirts take on the best the league offers as 16 teams fight for the most prestigious prize in hockey - the Stanley Cup. New York's illustrious history has seen them win Lord Stanley's mug on four occasions. As they look to try and capture the first one since 1994, there are very few teams that can rival the Blueshirts.

Amidst the ongoing debates in the hockey world about who can halt the Blueshirts, one thing is clear- this team is a force to be reckoned with. Let's not dwell on the recent defeat at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins, as it's essential to avoid recency bias. The Rangers boast a roster with a strong balance, scoring depth, a solid blueline, and one of the NHL's finest netminders in Igor Shesterkin. This team is poised to be a formidable challenge for any opponent vying for the cup.

Let's apply the same criteria to other teams in the league. Who can match the Rangers in scoring depth, a solid defensive blueline, and goaltending that keeps them in the conversation? While some teams could be contenders, such as the Nashville Predators or the Tampa Bay Lightning, they must meet the mark. Whether it's due to injuries disrupting their projected depth or a general lack of depth, as in the case of Nashville, these teams are in a different league than the Rangers.

So, with a few teams already joining the Rangers as a mathematical playoff team, who stands between the Rangers and the cup? This conversation will continue until the playoffs are over, and either the Rangers are out or have a fifth banner to hang from the rafters of Madison Square Garden. It's not going anywhere, so why don't we dive into this conversation ourselves?

Carolina Hurricanes

Stay in the division; the Carolina Hurricanes are a significant threat to the Blushirts. If we take the Rangers out of the conversation, the Hurricanes are the hands-down favorite for the cup out of the Eastern Conference. They are one of the most balanced teams in the NHL and are red-hot. They've got everything you want to see from a Stanley Cup contender, and it's terrifying for the Rangers, who will likely have to go through them in the postseason.

When it comes to defense, the Carolina Hurricanes are a force to be reckoned with. The likes of Jaccob Slavin, Dmitry Orlov, Brent Burns, Tarrytown native Brett Pesce, former Ranger Brady Skjei, and Anthony DeAngelo form one of the most formidable defensive groups in the league. This group has the potential to single-handedly dominate a game, making the rest of the roster almost irrelevant. Their defensive prowess is a key factor in the Hurricanes' threat level as a Stanley Cup contender.

Addressing a long-standing issue, the Carolina Hurricanes have significantly bolstered their offensive capabilities. They've made key additions with Jake Guentzel and Evgeni Kuznetsov, who join a breakout season from Seth Jarvis. This enhances the offensive potential of a group that already includes Andrei Svechnikov, Martin Necas, Teuvo Teravainen, and Sebastian Aho. The bottom six is fortified with Selke nominees Jordan Staal, Jordan Martinook, former Ranger Jesper Fast, and former third overall pick Jesperi Kotkaniemi. This depth in offense makes the Hurricanes a formidable force to contend with.

However, early in the season, they had some questions in goal. Former Ranger Antti Raanta struggled, and young netminder Pyotr Kochetkov needed to be more consistent. There were also question marks about their starter, Frederik Andersen, who was missing due to a blood clotting issue. Now, Andersen is back and playing like a brick wall. Kochetkov figured out his issues, and goaltending became a strength of the Hurricanes. They can go toe-to-toe with the Rangers in a series. That'll be a perfect watch since this is a round-two matchup.

Now, Carolina has an awful record at Madison Square Garden. With four wins in the last thirteen years at the Garden, New York has the advantage since they will have home ice when these two teams collide. If the Rangers can win the division, it'll likely be enough to see them past the Hurricanes safely. The Garden is a sanctuary where many teams fail to overcome the iconic Blueshirt. Carolina suffers more from the bright lights of Broadway than most.

Florida Panthers

If you want a team with everything in the Atlantic, look no further than the defending Eastern Conference Champions. The Florida Panthers are one of the biggest threats to win the Stanley Cup in the NHL. They have everything you want for a team to have ambitions of a title, and they were only three games from the cup last year when they steamrolled through the East. Florida will be looking to take that next step further in capturing the Stanley Cup.

The Florida Panthers have a forward core that is the envy of many teams. Led by Sam Reinhart's career year and supported by the likes of Matthew Tkachuk, Aleksander Barkov, and Carter Verhaeghe, their offensive prowess is undeniable. The addition of former Ranger Vladimir Tarasenko only strengthens their top six, a group that can score at will. With Kyle Okposo joining the bottom six, the Panthers' forward core is a force to be reckoned with, leaving no room for weaknesses. It's a formidable unit that can turn the tide of any game.

The Florida Panthers' defensive lineup is a testament to their strength. Brandon Montour, Gustav Forsling, and Aaron Ekblad form a solid blue line, with Dmitry Kulikov, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and former Ranger Niko Mikkola providing strong support. The depth of their defensive roster, including players like Tobias Bjornfoot and Josh Mahura, is a clear indication of their defensive capabilities. While it may not match up to Carolina's, it's still strong enough to make a significant impact in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Sergei Bobrovsky has shown he will have one of his good seasons this year between the pipes. When the Russian netminder is terrible, he is borderline unusable, but when he plays well, he can still win the Vezina Trophy as the league's best goaltender. He's a great netminder, but if the team playing against him can get to him, he could be vulnerable to defeats.

If the Rangers were to get a matchup with the Panthers, it'll likely be the round three matchup. They need to find a way to get the puck in the net in a potential matchup. Florida will allow you to dominate the play for the most part, so if you are clinical enough to take the chances, they will enable you to create, and you can beat the Panthers. While it won't be easy, playoff series never are.