Four best Rangers moments from 2024
Chris Kreider third-period hat trick to secure Eastern Conference Final bid
The thrill of watching the Rangers’ longest-tenured player single-handedly secure his team’s spot among the final four teams vying for the Stanley Cup was palpable.
Chris Kreider celebrates after one of his three goals in the Rangers’ playoff-clinching win over the Hurricanes last season.
Just as the series was beginning to turn in the Hurricanes’ favor, Kreider shut the door and hauled his team into the next round.
Stadium Series comeback victory over Islanders
After the Rangers fell behind 4-1 at one point, the Blueshirts scored back-to-back 6-on-4 goals in the final five minutes of regulation before Artemi Panarin notched the game-winner 10 seconds into overtime.
The fact that it had been forever since the Rangers and Islanders last played each other made it that much more of a riveting victory.
Jonathan Quick becomes winningest American-born goalie in NHL history
The way the Rangers crowded around their 38-year-old backup netminder for a group embrace after he became the winningest American-born goalie in NHL history with his 392nd win at Mullett Arena, was a testament to the team’s closeness. It was a meaningful moment that captured the team’s camaraderie at its peak.
Rempemania
Matt Rempe took the NHL by storm last season, becoming a fan favorite from the moment he dropped the gloves with Matt Martin in front of 79,690 people at MetLife.
The 6-foot-8 ½ forward is still navigating his way through the league — currently serving the second suspension of his short NHL career — but Rempe made his mark on what was a tremendous Rangers season.
Four Rangers questions for 2025
Does Chris Kreider remain Rangers’ longest-tenured player?
After Chris Drury advertised Kreider as available in a league-wide trade memo, it’s clear the Rangers president and general manager is open to moving on from the 33-year-old. Whether it’s at some point this season or in the offseason, it’ll be interesting to see how Kreider’s 13-year tenure in New York proceeds.
Does head coach Peter Laviolette get a third season with the Rangers?
Coaching has not been the Rangers’ biggest problem this season, but if the team continues on its current trajectory, heads will have to roll.
It’s no guarantee Peter Laviolette will be the Ranger’ coach for a third season.
There comes a point where a team’s dynamic becomes so untenable that the only choice is to start fresh on multiple fronts.
How much will the roster change next season with a surplus of pending free agents?
The Rangers have a huge haul of players in need of new contracts next season, including regulars like K’Andre Miller, Ryan Lindgren, Will Cuylle, Adam Edstrom and Jimmy Vesey.
It opens an opportunity for big changes, and considering the way this season has gone so far, that might just be what has to happen.
Can the Rangers get back on track or is another rebuild on the horizon?
A lot can happen between now and the end of this season, but depending on what the championship window looks like at the conclusion, the Rangers will have to decide how to proceed.
Do they stay in win-now mode and act accordingly? Or look to stockpile draft picks and evaluate ways to reshape roster?
