The New York Rangers have a number of early problems and issues going on this season. Injuries have plagued the Rangers, as well as a lack of scoring from the so-called “offensive superstars”.
But there is one more thing that might be the biggest problem of them all, and could potentially sink his season before it even begins. The Rangers cannot win on home ice in front of the Madison Square Garden faithful.
Early season disappointment could have long term consequences
The Rangers have a record of 3-4-1, with a home record of 0-4. With a goal differential of a sole goal from the Blueshirts to the opposing nine goals, fans have spent a fortune to watch historically bad hockey.
Over the course of the season, the importance of home ice will become more and more apparent. Obviously, if the Rangers can get out of this rut and make a charge toward the top of the Metropolitan Division, they will have the home ice advantage in the playoffs.
Looking at last season, the Rangers held a record of 19-19-3. There is a lot that can be said about how terrible the 2024-25 campaign was, but at least they could put together near .500 hockey at home.
Can they turn it around?
The Rangers are going to have to find a way to win on home ice. The season, though young, is starting to slip away solely due to the fact that they cannot perform in half of their games. No matter how many games they win on the road, it is only half the battle.
It is going to take the continued contributions of Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad, but also some much-needed help from the supporting cast. Will Cuylle highlights that list, as he had the third-most goals at MSG last season with 11. Vincent Trocheck had the second most with 13, but he is out of the lineup and on the long term injured reserve list.
This team will turn it around, it just has to be sooner rather than later. Thursday against the San Jose Sharks, a team looking for it's first win of the season, sounds like a great time to start.