Have the New York Rangers finally made a strong name for themselves? Are they truly a team that can stay as hot as they are? Coming off a great season last year, going 54-24–6, this season is looking even more promising. Although it is extremely early in the 82-game regular season, the 19-6-1 New York Rangers are looking better than ever right now. Under Head Coach Peter Laviolette, who led the Carolina Hurricanes to a Stanley Cup championship in 2006 and the Washington Capitals in 2018; he has had many Stanley Cup Finals appearances throughout the years and is very familiar with successful winning seasons.
After former Head Coach Gerard Gallant had been fired last May, Peter has brought a new level of energy and compassion to the team since the day he was hired. Coach Laviolette has been outstanding since day 1, putting down how he wants the team to be, and has set in stone the hard work he needs to guide the New York Rangers to the Stanley Cup. All throughout the New York Rangers lineup, there is an incredible amount of talent, and such a promising roster.
From the forwards to the goalies, the New York Rangers have made it clear that they are making a run for the cup this year. New York Rangers star left winger, Artemi Panarin has been dominating this season so far. He has more points than games played, rolling in a total of 38 points in just 26 games played. After recording 72 points in 82 games last year and being chosen to play in the 2020 NHL All-Star game in St. Louis, Panarin suffered an unfortunate injury and could not participate. But he continues to show the league that at 32 years old, he is still in the prime of his career.
After making a huge run for the playoffs last year, the New York Rangers were set to play the New Jersey Devils in the first round of the playoffs and looked like they were in very good shape going 2-0 on the Devils in the first 2 games. But the Rangers had gotten a bit nonchalant thinking the series was pretty much over after they had just won the first 2 games in New Jersey. The Devils had full confidence that the series was not over and picked it up going back to Madison Square Garden for game 3.
The Devils then went on to win the 3rd game in overtime and the 4th game by 2 goals in New York, to tie the series up at 2-2. At this point the New York Rangers were in trouble and knew something had to change. Rangers Vezina Trophy Winner goaltender, Igor Shesterkin played on his head all series long and kept the Rangers in it as much as he could. Game number 5 showcased the Devils scoring 4 goals on the Rangers and shutting out the Rangers to no goals. They now led the series 3-2 heading into game number 6 in New York. The Rangers came out on top during that game, winning 5-2, but then drove back to Jersey for game number 7 and got shut out again 4-0. At this point it was extremely embarrassing for the Rangers and a waste of a season. They were Stanley Cup favorites and had lost in the first round of the playoffs to their cross-town rivals, the Devils who barely made it in the playoffs.
