Last season, the New York Rangers clinched the President’s Trophy as the top team in the regular season and came close to reaching the Stanley Cup Final, falling just two wins short. As they aim to reach the playoffs again in 2025, their ambitions were on full display during a recent game against the Montreal Canadiens.
On Tuesday night, the Rangers got off to a strong start, netting four goals in the first period and chasing Canadiens goalie Sam Montembault, marking a franchise milestone. This accomplishment makes it the first time in team history that New York has scored four or more goals in the first six games of a season, as reported by their public relations team. Despite this strong performance, the Rangers are currently on a three-game losing streak, with their last defeat coming in overtime against the Utah Hockey Club on October 12. At the first intermission of the game against the Canadiens, New York led 4-1.
The Rangers had an eventful offseason, with many speculating whether they would acquire a top free agent to bolster their playoff chances. Ultimately, they did not make such a move, with their most significant transaction being the trade for Reilly Smith from the Pittsburgh Penguins. Nonetheless, this lack of offseason activity hasn’t hindered the team’s performance. As of Tuesday, the Rangers were tied for the highest Goals For Per Game in the league, averaging 4.80, alongside the Winnipeg Jets.
Several factors contribute to their strong start this season. Notably, New York has one of the most efficient power play units, currently ranking fourth in the league in power play percentage, with only the Ottawa Senators having a more effective power play in the Eastern Conference.
While the Rangers faced challenges scoring at even strength last season, they have turned that around in the early part of the 2024-25 season. They now hold the second-highest Goals For Percentage (70.05%) and Goals For Per 60 Minutes (3.62) at even strength, according to Evolving Hockey.
The Rangers are certainly riding high as the new season unfolds. If their strong performance continues, they are likely to position themselves as serious contenders in the Eastern Conference, potentially paving the way for their first Stanley Cup victory since 1994.
