The Rangers Can't Seem To Avoid Overtime Lately

Bonus Hockey

In the New York Rangers most recent outing, the Blueshirts played a tight game in Colorado that ended in a 3-2 loss to the Avalanche in overtime. This was the third game in four that New York found themselves playing after the third period had ended, and the second time the Rangers were defeated in such fashion.

The Positives

Although two overtime losses in four games may seem somewhat dreary at first glance, the Rangers have been showing signs of life as of late. Prior to 2025, the Blueshirts were on an abysmal streak of 4-15-0 since Nov. 21 of 2024. During that skid, the Rangers earned just eight points of the possible 38, in part due to the fact that they were unable to get a single game to overtime. Admittedly, it wouldn't have made a massive difference, but losing even a couple games in overtime or a shootout would have given the Rangers a few points in that standings that would make an important difference today.

Since the new year, the Blueshirts have stabilized a bit- earning a record of 4-1-2 in their first seven games of the year. This points percentage stands in stark contrast to everything Rangers fans had experienced for the prior two months, and has carried the Blueshirts back to a .500 record of 20-20-3 on the season. On top of this, during their recent run, the Rangers have defeated some of the top teams in the NHL like the New Jersey Devils and Vegas Golden Knights.

The Not So Positive

While Rangers fans are no doubt pleased with the team earning more points and slowly getting back on track, there are still worrying signs coming from the squad. Though they've taken points from every one of their last four games (2-0-2), the Rangers surrendered leads late in both of their losses. Despite leading the Dallas Stars 3-0 and 4-3 on Jan. 7, the Blueshirts couldn't close out the contest on home ice, and settled for one point in their 5-4 overtime loss. Exactly one week later, the Rangers would allow a game-tying goal from the Avalanche late in the third period and suffer defeat in overtime yet again.

If any Rangers fan was offered a regulation loss or an overtime loss with a consolation point, they would immediately take the consolation point, but it's the manner in which the Blueshirts have lost these games that cause concern. Making the postseason should be priority number one for the Rangers, but once they get there, the Blueshirts will need to be able to protect leads late in games. There's still a lot of the 2024-25 campaign left, and the Rangers seem to be trending in the right direction, but the struggles around closing out games should be addressed by the Blueshirts.