Peter Laviolette and the New York Rangers sit fifth in the East at 12-5-1, a respectable mark for a team that fell only two games shy of reaching the Stanley Cup Final last year.
A winning record this early in the season is reason for optimism, but if you’ve caught a glimpse of the Rangers over the last six weeks, you’ll know something isn't quite right – and you aren’t alone if you can’t put your finger on it.
As seen in Thursday’s 3-2 loss in Calgary, the Rangers are lacking that same edge and conviction that made them one of the top contenders entering the season, made even worse by the fact they own only three wins against teams currently above .500 (Toronto, Seattle, and Vancouver).
The above list isn’t exactly flattering, and while it’s still early days, it begs the question: are the Rangers potentially a well-disguised pretender?
With big questions popping up around the ice, here are a few worth considering before we try and get to the bottom of where this Rangers team is heading.
Where’s the Physicality?
Starting at the top, the Rangers’ effort level on a nightly basis just hasn’t been there.
Their first period on Thursday against the Flames was a tough watch, mustering only five shots to Calgary’s 20. Unsurprisingly, the forecheck was to blame for their lack of offensive zone opportunity, placing even more pressure on Igor Shesterkin to be at his brilliant best between the pipes.
It’s hard to use hits as a stat to build a compelling argument, but it applies here.
The Rangers rank 17th in the category through the first month and a half, a serious drop compared to last year when they ranked 11th.
For a fiery, hard-nosed coach like Peter Laviolette, the Rangers’ sudden drop in physicality has been one of their most alarming early-season developments.
William Cuylle and Vincent Trocheck rank Top 10 in hits individually (no surprise), but as a team, there needs to be more bang along the boards and aggressiveness to get after the puck.
Has Shesterkin Made The Rangers Look Better Than They Are?
There’s no question goaltending has been the Rangers’ biggest strength through the first month and a half.
Igor Shesterkin has taken a page out of Aaron Judge’s playbook by performing admirably in his contract year, posting a 2.82 GAA to match his 5.4 goals saved above expected number – the 15th-best in the league, according to Money Puck.
Shesterkin’s play bodes well for a fat paycheck sometime soon, while backup Jonathan Quick is worth a mention given his GAA sits well below 1.00 through five starts.
When you factor in the Rangers rank fourth in shots against per game, the above numbers pop out even more. New York has done a poor job defending the puck in front of their two goalies, while the fact they rank 24th in shots blocked only further highlights how good Shesterkin and Quick have been.
Are They Coasting?
It’s become somewhat of an epidemic in sports these days, but the Rangers probably haven’t earned the right to just go through the motions... yet.
Like the Leafs and Jets, players and fans know nothing in the regular season counts for much unless it’s backed up in April with wins come playoff time.
Unlike those two teams, the Rangers have won series’ and gone deep into the Cup Finals. But as Toronto fans know all too well (or maybe don’t know well), consistent play in the regular season tends to translate to winning hockey when it matters most.
Earning scars in the postseason is a big part of winning championships in the NHL, just ask the Florida Panthers.
Having made the Cup Playoffs in three straight seasons, this current Rangers core has many fresh wounds to reflect on if they need motivation. But right now, it feels like they might need a little reminder.
What’s Going Wrong in the Third Period?
The Rangers haven’t had a problem starting games, but they’ve found scoring quite difficult over the final 20 minutes.
Defensively, there hasn’t been a better team when it comes to allowing third-period goals than Laviolette’s side – another huge credit to Shesterkin. Meanwhile, on the offensive end, the Rangers rank 21st in third-period goals, an area that needs immediate attention.
As it stands, only 12 Rangers have found the back of the net in the third period, and only five of them have scored multiple times.
Chris Kreider leads the team with three, while Artemi Panarin, the team’s leading goal scorer, has scored only twice – both being empty netters.
There’s no tried-and-true method to fixing third-period problems, and some of this might start to trend in the other direction when the ice tilts back in the Rangers’ favor later. For a team that looks unfocused at times though, the above numbers are telling of New York’s recent lack of conviction.
Is Kaapo Kaako the Answer at Center?
Laviolette dropped back to three lines during Thursday’s game against the Flames, placing former second-overall draft pick Kaapo Kaako at center between William Cuylle and Jimmy Vesey.
Kaako has been playing well over the last two weeks, registering two goals and four points – providing Laviolette with a worthwhile replacement for the struggling Jonny Brodzinski.
Now in his sixth year, Kaako won six of nine faceoffs, which wasn’t a huge surprise given he played center before he reached the NHL.
There are some definite growing pains to come if he’s to stay as the Rangers’ preferred center, but with the 23-year-old in a bit of a purple patch, he might help provide a desperately needed spark.