After what some would call a disastrous weekend, the New York Rangers played much better on Tuesday night in a lopsided win against the New York Islanders. The Blueshirts have now racked off back-to-back wins, and while they are being outshot, they found ways to win.
On Friday night, the Rangers need another win to keep pace with Eastern Conference Wildcard contenders. The opponent is a good one, the Toronto Maple Leafs, at Madison Square Garden for the first of a four-game homestand.
Toronto (36-20-2) is second in the Atlantic Division and has won three straight games out of the NHL's 4 Nations Faceoff break. It's a huge game for both sides, so here's some storylines to watch.
1. Can Igor Shesterkin steal another game?
Over the past two games, the Rangers were the worst team for significant stretches. But, in both games, Igor Shesterkin came up big when it mattered most. New York was outshot 77-34 against the Penguins and Islanders, but outscored them 10-4 and got two points in both games.
Shesterkin needs to get back into top form if the Rangers are going to succeed down the stretch, and Friday night is another tough game. The Maple Leafs have firepower, whether one of the top scorers in the NHL in Auston Matthews or some of the other stars they have to offer, such as Mitch Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares.
All will get opportunities, and it's up to Shesterkin to make the saves.
2. Can the Rangers play well against top competition?
This has been a question the entire year for the Blueshirts, and this is their first chance after the break to prove they can play well against a good team. The Buffalo Sabres, Penguins and Islanders are all on the outside looking in on the playoffs; Toronto is a contender.
It's obvious that New York needs to play a good hockey game against Toronto in order to win, and that means leveling the Maple Leafs on all ends of the ice for 60 minutes.
3. Can 10-16-13 wake up?
In the Rangers' 2023-24 Presidents' Trophy season, the line of Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere was not only the best line New York had to offer, but it was one of the best in the NHL. Though, this season, when the three have played together, the line has failed to make a significant impact.
All three players are in a goal drought - Trocheck hasn't scored since 2/7, Panarin 2/5 and Lafreniere 2/2. As the calendar shifts to March, the Rangers need these players to wake up to rack up all the points they can.
If New York is to have a chance at anything this season, Panarin, Trocheck and Lafreniere need to make an immediate impact.