As the 2024-25 NHL season commenced, the New York Rangers appeared poised for a promising campaign. With a 12-4-1 record by November 20, 2024, their performance placed them fifth in the overall league standings, just three points behind the leaders of the Metro Division. However, that early season vigor soon encountered turbulence following a tight 3-2 loss to the Calgary Flames on November 21st, marking the beginning of a significant downturn for the team.
Over the following 22 games, the Rangers grappled with notable struggles, amassing a grueling 6-16-0 record. This challenging stretch severely impacted their standings, leading to a sharp descent, as the Rangers fell to seventh place in their division, with their ranking slipping to 14th in the Eastern Conference. A striking element of their decline was the worrying goal differential, which spiraled to minus-30 during this phase.
The downturn prompted Rangers management to take decisive action to stop the season from further spiraling. In a bid to shake up the roster and shift the team's fortunes, the front office made significant changes, including a high-profile trade involving their captain and a former No. 1 overall pick. These moves were seen as an urgent attempt to inject new energy into a floundering side.
Among the more surprising decisions was the healthy scratch of Chris Kreider on December 23. Kreider, a key figure of the Rangers squad, had found himself struggling alongside the team. Notably, his defensive statistics stood out; he ranked 563rd in the league with 2.96 expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60), underscoring the broader defensive issues plaguing the Rangers.
The team's power play, once a potent weapon last season, also turned into an area of concern. Having registered a formidable 26.4% conversion rate in the previous campaign—good for third in the NHL—the Rangers saw this figure plummet to a dismal 17.1%, ranking them 26th in the current season. Forward Will Cuylle epitomized these struggles, notably failing to find the back of the net despite spending 32 minutes on the power play. Nevertheless, Cuylle remained a bright spot in even-strength situations, tied for third on the team with 11 goals.
On the defensive front, veteran center Mika Zibanejad faced his own challenges. His metrics indicated significant room for improvement, as he ranked 601st out of 610 in xGA/60 among players with a minimum of 200 minutes of ice time. This data pointed to defensive lapses that were reflective of the team's broader difficulties.
While the Rangers' early-season promise has dimmed, the organization remains focused on reigniting their potential and returning to competitive standing. The strategic changes made off-ice and adjustments necessary on the ice will be critical in reversing their fortunes and rekindling their fight for the playoffs. As the season progresses, the Rangers' ability to adapt and overcome challenges will be tested, with fans hopeful that the team's storied resilience will once again come to the fore.