In December, the New York Rangers struggled significantly, making it feel like they would be trapped in a losing streak indefinitely. They faced challenges in defense, offense, and execution of key plays, earning them a spot near the bottom of the standings in the Metropolitan Division, the Eastern Conference, and the NHL for a period.
As of January 20, however, the Rangers’ fortunes have begun to shift. They have achieved a record of 6-1-3 in their last 10 games and are now just four points behind the Boston Bruins for the second wild card position in the Eastern Conference, holding a 22-20-4 record with 48 points.
Several factors contribute to this turnaround, starting with improved defense. They have conceded only 11 goals in their last five games, although five were from a recent overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens on January 19.
Goaltender Igor Shesterkin has played a crucial role in this resurgence, showcasing strong performances over his last five starts. Following an upper-body injury that sidelined him, he appears to be regaining his form, which is vital for the team’s playoff aspirations.
Additionally, key players like Mika Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck have elevated their performance. Zibanejad has been more energetic and productive, while Trocheck continues to contribute positively through face-off wins and leadership.
The Rangers are also reimplementing the successful strategies that worked for them last season, focusing on timely scoring, smart defensive plays, solid goaltending, and maintaining self-belief. Despite past losses that cost them crucial points, if they continue on their current path, they could position themselves favorably by April.
