Nearly every NHL team has challenges to tackle before pursuing the Stanley Cup, and the New York Rangers are no exception. However, the Original Six franchise has had a favorable start to the season.
With an 8-2-1 record, they currently sit fourth in the Metropolitan Division and ninth overall in the league. While there aren’t any immediate concerns that jeopardize their playoff chances, there are some issues and uncertainties that need to be addressed. Here are key aspects the Rangers need to focus on to enhance their chances of winning the Cup for the first time since 1994.
**The Fourth Line**
Although it might appear to be a minor issue, every advantage counts for the Rangers, especially concerning matchups. This season, the fourth line has featured Sam Carrick, Adam Edstrom, and Jonny Brodzinski, all of whom have performed admirably, maintaining expected goals for shares over 56 percent, with Carrick leading at 60.42 percent.
Now that Jimmy Vesey has returned from injury to the fourth line, there are concerns about its overall effectiveness. Vesey has provided significant value at a low cap hit in the past, but his presence might disrupt the current cohesion of the fourth line. The coaching staff will need to consider whether to keep Vesey, substitute him with Edstrom or Brodzinski, or perhaps promote fan-favorite Matt Rempe if performance declines.
**Getting Mika Going Five-on-Five**
Many might view Mika Zibanejad primarily as a power-play asset, given that 43 percent of his 72 points last season came during those situations. Despite his impressive special teams play, the Rangers require more from the 31-year-old in even-strength scenarios. In an effort to revive Zibanejad’s performance, head coach Peter Laviolette has adjusted the lines, placing him with Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere. While Zibanejad recorded three assists recently, none occurred at even strength, and he currently ranks among the lowest on the team for expected goals for, indicating there’s room for improvement.
**The Defensive Pairs**
The most pressing issue for the Rangers is determining their defensive pairings. Ryan Lindgren has recently returned from a broken jaw, reinstating the Lindgren-Fox pairing, with Miller and Trouba alongside each other. Jones and Victor Mancini have been alternating in and out next to Jacob Schneider. Despite the changes, it’s important to note that the Miller-Fox duo has performed exceptionally well this season with a 66.80 percent expected goals rate in 143 minutes together. Conversely, Lindgren continues to struggle with Fox, yielding only a 40.47 percent expected goals rate in their limited ice time together.
Moreover, there’s a case for regularly including Jones for his puck-moving skills, though Mancini has also shown promise this season. A potential solution could involve trading Lindgren, who will become an unrestricted free agent in July.
While the Rangers have challenges to resolve, there’s still ample time to experiment with different line combinations. However, the urgency is growing; sorting out these matters by playoff time will be crucial for optimizing their chances at securing Lord Stanley.
