Just months removed from winning the Presidents’ Trophy, the New York Rangers now find themselves on the verge of missing the playoffs entirely. Their most recent performance—a lifeless effort against the struggling Philadelphia Flyers—has all but confirmed their fall from contention.
Back in October, no one could have predicted such a drastic slide. While a wild card finish would’ve been underwhelming, missing the postseason altogether is nearly unfathomable for a team with this level of talent. But the truth is clear: the Rangers have gone from elite to average to unreliable in just one season.
Inconsistency has defined their 2024–25 campaign. Their latest slump, dropping them to 3-6-1 in their last 10 games, comes at the worst possible time. Offensively anemic and defensively vulnerable, they’ve repeatedly failed to rise to the moment. Wednesday’s game, where they allowed eight goals to the Flyers, was the final nail in the coffin. Even veteran goalie Jonathan Quick looked uncharacteristically unprepared in a must-win situation.
The warning signs had been there for weeks. The Rangers struggled to generate offense, getting held to just one goal in five of their last 11 games. Combine that with inconsistent goaltending from both Quick and Igor Shesterkin, and their current position was almost inevitable.
Looking ahead, the Rangers face a critical offseason. General manager Chris Drury must act decisively. Whether that means parting ways with head coach Peter Laviolette or overhauling the roster, major changes are necessary. Another season like this one isn’t an option, and the pressure is on to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
While the Rangers’ playoff hopes are all but over, the coming months promise to be pivotal for the franchise’s future.
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