Oріnіon: Current Reсord Not а Refleсtіon of tһe Rаngers’ Plаy Tһіs Seаson

While Shesterkin has an 8-5-0-1 record with a 2.82 goals-against average, a .914 save percentage, and one shutout, there is no doubt that he is going to need to be better and more consistent. Shesterkin is known as a slow starter, but with the way the team has played so far this season, they are going to need him to find and keep his form sooner rather than later this year.

Speaking of keeping the puck out of the net and not helping their goaltenders, the team has several defensemen who have not played well this season. K’Andre Miller and Jacob Trouba continue to look lost on the ice while it appears that Ryan Lindgren has lost a step and has not looked anywhere near like the defenseman he was the previous few seasons.

Secondly, this team is struggling to beat playoff hockey teams. Of the 12 games that the Rangers have won so far this season, only one has come against a team that currently holds a playoff spot (Toronto Maple Leafs).

The Rangers have taken advantage of the easy schedule they were given to start the season. They have picked up victories against the Detroit Red Wings (three), Anaheim Ducks (one), Pittsburgh Penguins (one), Seattle Kraken (one), Sharks (one), Canucks (one), New York Islanders (one), Ottawa Senators (one), and Montreal Canadiens (one).

The team looked terrible when they played current playoff hockey clubs such as the Florida Panthers, Washington Capitals, Flames, and the Jets. Yes, there were times in those games when the Rangers looked like they could win, but for the most part, they were outplayed.

Lastly, the team has looked very disconnected on the ice this season. Team head coach Peter Laviolette has had to shuffle the lineup a few times already this season, they are not playing well in their own zone, they are not being as aggressive as they were last season on offense, and there seems to be a lot of passengers this season.

On a nightly basis, the Rangers can count on the likes of Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, Alexis Lafreniere, Will Cuylle, Filip Chytil, and even Kaapo Kakko to work hard every single night to generate offense. These players work hard every night and do everything they can to drive the team.

The same cannot be said of the other players on this team. More often than not, players like Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, and Reilly Smith are far too inconsistent.

There is a lot of hockey left to be played this season, which means that the Blueshirts can right the ship and return to being one of the most consistent teams in the league. Until they do that, however, it could end up leading to a losing result come April.