The New York Rangers’ playoff hopes are dangling by a fraying thread after a brutal stretch of losses and Artemi Panarin’s uncertain status. Once a dominant force in the Metro, the Blueshirts now look vulnerable—and time is running out to fix it.
Panarin’s injury couldn’t have come at a worse time. The MVP-caliber winger is the engine of this team, and without him, the offense sputters. Even if he returns before the playoffs, will he be 100%? Meanwhile, Igor Shesterkin, usually a brick wall, has shown cracks at critical moments. The defense, missing key physicality, keeps getting exposed by faster, hungrier teams.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Chris Kreider and Vincent Trocheck have been clutch, and young guns like Alexis Lafrenière are finally breaking out. The power play remains lethal, ranking top-five in the league. If they can tighten up defensively and get even average goaltending, they’re still dangerous.
The real question: Do they have the grit to flip the switch? The Metro is a bloodbath, and wild-card teams are surging. One more slump could mean an early tee time.
- The Rangers have the talent—but talent alone doesn’t win in April. The next few games will decide if this team fights or folds. Buckle up.
