On Thursday night, New York Rangers got one of their biggest wins of the season, defeating the New Jersey Devils 3-2 in overtime. Sam Carrick ripped home the overtime winner, and for the first time in a long time, there was a glimmer of hope in Madison Square Garden.
The Rangers have had a good start to 2025: New York is 3-1-1 through five games, have scored at least 3 goals in their last four games and the power play - which was lifeless in December - has scored three goals in the last two. It won't get any easier for New York, who sits four points out of a playoff spot.
Tonight, the Rangers start a brief stint out west against the league-leading and 2023 Stanley Cup Champions Vegas Golden Knights. Vegas (28-10-3) is another contender that the Rangers will face, and it will surely be a tough one. Through 41 games, the Golden Knights have lost at home only five times.
If the Rangers want to climb back into playoff position, they need to tally more wins. With top teams standing in their way, here's how they can, starting tonight in Sin City.
1. The Power Play
Over the past two games against the Dallas Stars and New Jersey Devils, the Rangers' power play - which only scored once in over 30 attempts going into the game - converted three times; Vincent Trocheck scored against Dallas, and Adam Fox and Artemi Panarin scored the two goals in regulation against New Jersey.
For years, New York has been a team that thrives off special teams, and if it wants to re-establish itself as a playoff team, that has to remain the same. The Rangers' power play is up to 21st in the league.
Against Vegas, the Blueshirts need to score on the man advantage if given the opportunity.
2. Defense
Against the speedy, high-flying New Jersey Devils who thrive on open ice, the Rangers played one of their best defensive games of the season. New York held New Jersey to 23 shots while also holding the second-best power play in the NHL to no goals on three tries.
Now, the Rangers face two teams in Vegas and the Colorado Avalanche, who are fourth and fifth respectively in the NHL in goals per game. New York needs strong defensive play to stay in these games.
3. Igor Shesterkin
After missing four games while on the injured reserve, Shesterkin played well in his return on Thursday. He made 21 saves on 23 shots, including some big ones on high quality chances.
The 28-year-old who is the highest-paid goaltender in NHL history gets the nod tonight in Vegas, and don;t be surprised if he does against Colorado as well.
He has stolen and won so many games for the Rangers in his career and it needs to be the case for years to come.