The New York Rangers have opened up 2025 by winning two out of three games, and now, the schedule gets a lot harder. Over the next four games, New York gets four legitimate Stanley Cup contenders in the Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils, Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche.
There's no doubt that the slate gets tougher for the Blueshirts, who need to rack up wins in order to get back into the playoff hunt. It starts tonight against Dallas at home, and here's three Rangers to watch.
1. Arhur Kaliyev
The first mention has to be New York's newest player, Arthur Kaliyev, who the Blueshirts claimed on waivers Monday afternoon from the Los Angeles Kings. Kaliyev, the 33rd overall pick of the 2019 NHL entry draft, had an up-and-down tenure in Los Angeles. While he showed potential to be an every night type of player, he struggled to get top-six minutes.
Kaliyev's one undoubtable positve is his shot: he's a shoot-first type of player and is not afraid to let it fly. In the 2022-23 season, he had a career-high 15 goals, including two in a game against Dallas, who the Rangers play tonight.
There's a lot of questions surrounding Kaliyev - who was at New York's morning skate - including where he'll be slotted in, how many minutes he will get and whether he will be able to fill some of the scoring vacancy now that Chris Kreider is on the injured reserve. He's a low risk, high reward for the Rangers, who are searching for offense.
*Kaliyev will not be in the lineup tonight, but including him for his inevitable lineup addition*
2. Reilly Smith
Over the past few games, Smith has been noticeable, and he got rewarded with a breakaway goal on Sunday in Chicago to give New York a 4-1 lead. The line of Smith, Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider/Johnny Brodzinski has been a lot better lately, especially at even strength.
Smith got an assist on the first goal of the 2025 season - put away by Zibanejad - and has points in three straight to open up the new year. If he and this line keeps it going, the Rangers are a much better 5v5 team.
3. Jonathan Quick
Just like every game for the Rangers, whether it's Igor Shesterkin, Jonathan Quick, Louis Domingue, Dylan Garand, or anyone the Rangers put in the crease - goaltenders need to make the regular saves and some extraordinary ones to win.
To open up 2025, Quick has had two vastly different campaigns. He pretty much stole a victory for the Rangers against the Boston Bruins, but against the Washington Capitals gave up six goals. New York obviously needs the former against Dallas, who had 42 shots a few weeks ago when the teams met in Texas.
Shesterkin stole that game. Don't be surprised if Quick needs to do the same thing.