As we approach the start of 2025, we reflect on the less favorable moments from 2024, wishing to leave them in the past and focus on fresh beginnings.
Here are the 10 most challenging moments for the Rangers during the 2024 calendar year.
Related: Top 10 New York Rangers moments in 2024
10. January 2 – A rough start to 2024
After a strong conclusion to 2023, the Rangers aimed to continue their momentum with a victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. Instead, they kicked off the New Year with a disappointing 6-1 loss at Madison Square Garden, with Chris Kreider scoring the team’s only goal while Andrei Svechnikov netted two for the Hurricanes.
9. December 22 & 23 – Disheartening losses to division rivals
During a tough stretch, the Rangers faced back-to-back losses against the Metropolitan Division rivals, the Hurricanes and the New Jersey Devils. Following a brief victory against the Dallas Stars, they fell 3-1 to the Hurricanes at home and then suffered a dismal 5-0 defeat to the Devils, managing only 12 shots on goal in that game.
8. December 6 – Jacob Trouba’s trade to Anaheim
While Jacob Trouba’s departure was financially beneficial for the Rangers, it marked a messy conclusion to a prolonged and contentious situation that had been brewing for six months. Following failed offseason trade attempts and an overall disastrous season, Trouba’s exit became inevitable amidst rising tensions with General Manager Chris Drury.
7. November 21 – A drastic decline in performance
After a promising start to the season with a 12-4-1 record, the Rangers experienced a significant downturn beginning with a 3-2 loss to the Calgary Flames. Although this loss alone wasn’t to blame, it set off a downward spiral that saw the team win only four more times, finishing the year at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division.
6. December 9 & 17 – Losing to the last-place teams
The Rangers suffered two frustrating losses against teams sitting at the bottom of the league. First, they fell 2-1 to the struggling Chicago Blackhawks, only managing one goal at home, followed by a 2-0 shutout against the Nashville Predators, marking a particularly low point in their season.
5. December 18 – Kaapo Kakko traded to Seattle
Former second-overall pick Kaapo Kakko was traded to the Seattle Kraken, capping off a disappointing chapter in his career with the Rangers, which began with high hopes. Despite his efforts to evolve as a player, it was clear that a change was needed for both him and the team.
4. November 29 – Five consecutive losses
What started as a minor slump escalated into the Rangers’ longest losing streak since 2021, culminating in a 3-1 defeat to the Philadelphia Flyers. The organization’s panic escalated quickly, unaware of the struggles that lay ahead after beginning the season so strongly.
3. May 28 – Eastern Conference Final Game 4 loss in overtime
After grabbing a 2-1 series lead against the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final, the Rangers found themselves in a pivotal Game 4 in overtime. Sam Reinhart’s overtime goal tied the series, and the Panthers went on to eliminate the Rangers in six games.
2. December 30 – Ending 2024 in a slump
Following a necessary holiday break, the Rangers hoped to recover during two games in Florida. Instead, they suffered losses of 6-2 to the Lightning and 5-3 to the Panthers, finishing 2024 with a 4-15-0 record and a four-game losing streak after a promising start.
1. June 1 – Elimination in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final
After an impressive season that included winning the Presidents’ Trophy and reaching the Eastern Conference Final, the Rangers faced a devastating end, losing three straight games and being eliminated in Game 6, 2-1. This disappointing outcome marked a significant letdown for a team that had hoped to reach, if not win, the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in 30 years.
