There is no sugarcoating this season for the New York Rangers. It’s been bad, really. Trying to minimize the situation is like a student trying to downplay a bunch of Ds on his report card.
That said, there may actually be a silver lining in the Rangers’ post-deadline play. The Blueshirts are 6-2-2 in their last 10 games. While hardly the record-setting pace, but a heck of a lot better than before the trade deadline.
And that’s precisely the point. It seems that once the 2026 NHL trade deadline faded, the club has played much better. In fact, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that the deadline itself was a needless distraction for the Rangers.
Since March 7, the day after the trade deadline, the Rangers are 4-2. They got big wins over the Minnesota Wild and Philadelphia Flyers, while landing a solid effort against the Winnipeg Jets and shutting out the Calgary Flames.
The two losses, however, were a 6-3 defeat at the hands of the New Jersey Devils and a 4-1 pounding in Artemi Panarin’s return to MSG.
But the overall body of work seems to signal that the deadline buzz could have been a major distraction for the club. In the six games since the deadline, the Rangers have outscored opponents 24-17, while scoring seven power play goals. In fact, their power play rate is 38.85%.
Yes, the Rangers have been outshot 190-133, with the game against the Wild being particularly lopsided (48-18). Also, the Blueshirts have given up six shorthanded goals in 18 opportunities.
But you have to think that there may be a kernel there that could lead to a major turnaround this season and next.
It all depends on carrying that moment forward.
Shesterkin has kept Rangers rolling
The biggest factor fueling the Rangers’ recent upswing has been Igor Shesterkin. Shesterkin’s return to Vezina-caliber form is what has fueled the team to an improved record.
Take the game against the Wild. Shesterkin made 46 saves in that game against Minnesota, including surviving a third period in which the Wild outshot the Rangers 21-1.
That’s been the difference thus far. Shesterkin has helped paper over many of the Rangers’ inconsistencies. That’s why it should be no surprise that the Rangers’ season circled the drain when Shesterkin got hurt in early January. The team spiraled out of control, leading to the mess that became the trade deadline.
Assuming Sheskterkin comes back like this again next season, and the Rangers actually play better in front of him, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the team have a much-improved season.
Now, would that translate into a playoff spot? That’s debatable. The Rangers could go on a crazy run at some point next season and elbow their way into the playoff conversation.
But that’s getting ahead of ourselves, here. The key seems to be the Rangers putting together the type of play that could spark a rebound season in 2026-27. And that’s something that fans should be looking forward to.