New York Rangers fans considered themselves some of the luckiest in the league given their strong home opening stretch, and then an injury to a star during the second period of the road game against the Washington Capitals on October 9 caused some worry throughout the fandom.
Starting goaltender Igor Shesterkin had to be helped off the ice after injuring his leg during a play. While fans held out hope that this would be a short-term injury, the team announced the next day that he had suffered a season-ending injury less than two weeks into the season. Throughout his career, Shesterkin has maintained a .917 save percentage and a 2.51 goals-against average, showing why losing him is such a major setback. The Rangers had a rocky last season so this news has upped the stakes as they try to find their footing again.
Despite the unfortunate circumstances, Shesterkin’s injury allowed Dylan Garand to step up as the team’s starting goalie this season. At just 24 years old and with just five NHL games under his belt, Garand found himself starting the next home game against the Vancouver Canucks on October 11 where the Rangers came away with a 6-2 win. Garand used this game as an opportunity to prove himself, where he made 19 saves on 21 shots.
Another make-or-break aspect of this season is whether the young core can step up and contribute to more consistent offensive production without relying on the team’s seasoned veterans. Young forwards such as Alexis Lafrenière, Will Cuylle, and Gabe Perreault should prepare to take on greater responsibilities as the season goes on. Lafrenière was drafted first overall by the Rangers in the 2020 NHL Draft but has yet to have the kind of breakout season that was expected of him. This might be the year he truly makes his mark, as he has already recorded a hat trick against the New York Islanders and has nine goals and seven assists through 15 games.
The defense is another sore point for the team, as the Rangers have struggled to stay consistent, especially during away games, as shown by their recent 5-4 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs and 7-4 loss to the Ottawa Senators. The loss to the Maple Leafs featured 35 shots allowed, while the loss to the Senators involved defensive breakdowns that allowed them to build an early lead.
The Rangers also struggled during their two recent home games on October 26 against the Los Angeles Kings in which they suffered a 6-3 loss and on November 1 against the Edmonton Oilers in which they suffered a 4-1 loss. Their defense in the game against the Kings failed to protect the starting goaltender James Reimer, who was signed the day before the game from the AHL Hartford, and he allowed three goals on eight shots which forced them to substitute Garand in after the first period.
Against the Oilers, they fell behind 2-0 within the first few minutes of the game as they once again failed to get any sort of defensive control early on. This game marked the fourth consecutive loss for the Rangers which leaves fans wondering, will they be able to recover from this losing streak?
One saving grace for the Rangers' chaotic defense may be offensively gifted defenseman Adam Fox, who has recorded an impressive stat line including a goal and 16 assists through 15 games. Although he is able to create offense and generate strong scoring opportunities, the team needs to work together to limit turnovers and stop giving opponents easy chances to score.
The Rangers' biggest chance at success is learning how to get their young core to work together with the defense to create more cohesion across plays. They have a strong lineup but lack the consistency and collective mindset we see in teams that regularly make the playoffs. The playoffs remain a distant possibility with a 7-7-1 record and 15 points, but this is far from secure.
The season is filled with uncertainty, but this isn't anything new for Rangers fans. If the team can pull off a playoff run, it will take grit and determination from the players and coaching staff alike to avoid falling into a slump. However, I do believe the team has what it takes to have a better season than they have in the last two years. Alexis Lafrenière has an opportunity to continue making his mark as one of the team's offensive leaders, while Dylan Garand has the chance to prove himself at the NHL level. The loss of Shesterkin for the season still hangs over the team, and only time will tell if Garand has what it takes to fill his shoes. Fans will have to watch with cautious optimism to see how the young core steps up and what the team does to address its inconsistencies.
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