Skip to main content
Blue Line Station
Fansided

The Rangers early start carries an abnormal break that can help or hurt them later on

The Rangers will get off to a quick start to the season, then things will slow down a bit before spending up again.
ByJustin Bonhard|
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on Reddit
Google Discover
Jan 26, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) controls the puck against New York Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider (4) during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Jan 26, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) controls the puck against New York Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider (4) during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The National Hockey League administered their official schedule release day for all 32 teams. Each of them had a unique take on announcing their 2026-27 slate of games to their fan bases, and the New York Rangers had a solid one with videos for each division of opponents.

This stained glass look for the home opener against Tampa Bay on October 1 is still fantastic to look at.

Looking at the schedule itself, there is not a lot of time between matchups for the Rangers next season. From September 29 on the road to open the year in Boston, they have 13 games in October. But after that final game of October 26 against the Los Angeles Kings, they have a big problem. At least it could fester into one.

Let's talk about it.

An abnormal break in the action

After that game against the Kings, the Rangers are off the ice until November 1 against Edmonton. That is a five-day break, and that can either help or hurt this franchise. It is interesting to see things scheduled like this, especially because they will go through another stretch like this shortly afterwards.

If this team gets off to a hot start with the quick 14-game slate, this break could cause a disturbance in rhythm. Or, if things are continuing to look bleak for another season, this absence from play can reset them.

Having that many games in a row gets this team acclimated to the new 84-game gauntlet quicker than anyone else. That can push this Rangers team ahead of the pack and give them incentive to stay there.

The Rangers are not going to be favorites to make it back to the postseason in 2026-27, but the hope is that the new additions and draft picks are starting to look like a step in the right direction. What better way to do that than to submit them to the NHL's version of baptism under fire.

Can the Rangers weather the storm to start the year, relax in that late October break, and continue their success moving onward from there?

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations