2025 is officially here, and the New York Rangers are 0-0 on the new year. Jan. 2 brings the Blueshirts their chance to start 2025 with a 1-0 record as they return to Madison Square Garden to host the Boston Bruins.
Boston (20-15-4) has lost two out of their last three games, and while they are not in the same reeling state the Rangers are, the Bruins have not lived up to expectations this season. In November, they fired head coach Jim Montgomery - who led them to the best regular season in NHL history - and replaced him with Joe Sacco behind the bench.
For the Rangers, they have to start winning or the book will be closed on what was suppoosed to be a special season. Here's three players that need to play well for the Rangers to succeed.
1. Jonathan Quick
The Rangers have dealt with a lot of negatives over the past few months, but none is as big as Igor Shesterkin being placed on injured reserve on Tuesday afternoon. Anyone that follows the NHL knows that Shesterkin can steal the Rangers any game, and without him, New York is a different team.
This is where Jonathan Quick needs to raise his play: he has not made consecutive starts all season, and is now being thrown into the fire to help save a team that has lost 15 out of its last 19 and is last in the Metropolitan Division.
New York clearly believes in Quick; that's why the Rangers re-signed him to a one-year deal in the middle of last season. Now, it's time for the winningest American goaltender in NHL history to contribute.
2. Filip Chytil
On Monday against Florida, Filip Chytil played one of his best games as a Ranger. He was the most notable forward on the ice and scored his first goal in six games to show for it. The puzzling part was him being left off the ice - Mika Zibanejad being put on instead - for the Rangers' extra attacker when they were down 4-3.
Chytil needs to continue to build on this strong play, especially with many core members of New York plateauing. If he continues to play like he did in Sunrise, he will see his ice time increase game-by-game and will become the main contributor many envision him to be.
3. Alexis Lafreniere
To keep it short, Alexis Lafreniere has not played particularly well since signing his seven-year, $7.45 million AAV contract that will keep him in New York long term. He has no points in his last six games, and moreover, no goals in his last 10 dating back to Dec. 8 against the Seattle Kraken.
One of the reasons New York thrived last season was Lafreniere's emergence, settting career highs in goals, assists and points (29/29/57). He has to rediscover this and become the game-to-game star that was expected of him when he was drafted No. 1 overall.