The New York Rangers made it a mission to put the disastrous 2025-26 season behind them, and they have done a great job of that so far. Last season, the Rangers couldn't buy themselves a win at home. The Rangers didn't win five home games until December last season. The Rangers accomplished that feat in less than a month since the start of the 2026-27 campaign.
On Monday, the Rangers clinched their sixth win at home this season after their 5-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. In fact, they hold a perfect 6-0-0 record at Madison Square Garden to start the season. It's difficult to not be at least entertained by what you've seen on the ice when they are at home.
It kind of feels like the positive vibes from the New York Knicks, who share Madison Square Garden and won the NBA Championship back in June, carried over into the hockey season.
Rangers' home luck carries similar Knicks vibes ahead of NBA Championship ring ceremony
As New York sports fans fondly remember, the Knicks went on the run of runs in the playoffs last summer, as they coasted to the NBA Finals after losing just two games in the first three rounds. Facing the San Antonio Spurs, the Knicks perhaps had the most memorable performance by any team in recent memory. In Game 4 at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks overcame a 29-point deficit to defeat the Spurs 107-106 after OG Anunoby tipped in a shot attempt by Jalen Brunson, leaving just over a second remaining in regulation. The Knicks clinched their first NBA Championship in 53 years after defeating the Spurs in San Antonio with a 94-90 win.
Could the magic in the air from the Knicks championship run be stuck in Madison Square Garden for the Rangers? It sure feels that way early on.
In fact, after the Rangers' win over the Ducks, defenseman Sean Durzi said he was glad they were able to provide New York fans with back-to-back memorable nights at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers won on Monday night, while the Knicks open up the NBA season with a ring ceremony and the raising of their championship banner on Tuesday night.
How sustainable is Rangers' hot start to the 2026-27 season?
This offseason, general manager Chris Drury showed off his plans for their retool after finishing last place in the Eastern Conference last season. They brought in Pavel Dorofeyev, Sean Durzi, Marcus Pettersson, Oliver Bjorkstrand, and Eeli Tolvanen to improve the roster and make a push for the playoffs.
Little did Rangers fans expect that through the first 11 games of the season, the team would be tied for first place in the Metropolitan Division with the Carolina Hurricanes. Sure, the roster looked better on paper when compared to last season, but did fans really believe they'd be undefeated at home and be tied with the Stanley Cup champions for first in the division and for the best record in the Eastern Conference?
The Rangers' defensive overhaul has paid off tremendously, with Durzi and Pettersson making a competent second pairing duo. It certainly helps that Durzi can also contribute offensively, as he can move the puck up ice.
Not to mention, the forward group looks incredible. The top line of Mika Zibanejad, Alexis Lafreniere, and Gabe Perreault picked up where they left off last season and continue to show off their strong chemistry. Lafreniere is tied for the third-most goals in the league with seven. Not to mention that Dorofeyev's presence has created plenty of high danger scoring chances on the second line alongside captain J.T. Miller and Tye Kartye.
The real question is if the Rangers can sustain the absence of Igor Shesterkin, who is out for the season with a right knee injury. Dylan Garand has filled in more than admirably, as he put up a .929 save percentage, a 1.85 goals allowed average, and a 4-2-1 record through seven games. It will remain to be seen if the Rangers will make a move for another goalie, but that may all be dependent on how Joonas Korpisalo performs once he returns from his injury.
The Rangers are going to be dealing with the ebbs and flows of a full season, but it doesn't hurt to enjoy their strong start. Rangers fans will certainly hope that they can go on a similar championship run as the Knicks went on this past summer.
Add us as a preferred source on Google