The New York Rangers picked up where they left off last season and have started the 2024-25 season looking like one of the best teams in the NHL. They currently have a record of 4-0-1, which is good for third place in the entire league. Until now they seem to be dominating and one of the main reasons for that is the number of goals they have been scoring in these games. They have scored at least four goals in the first five games and right now, they are showing no signs of slowing down.
The Rangers have scored 24 goals as a team this season, second only to the New Jersey Devils with 27, but have played three more games than the Rangers this season. So far, most of the offense has come from the top two lines, and although it is important to find offense in all four lines, the best players of the team must be the ones to produce and right now, that’s exactly the case. gone this season.
Artemi Panarin Proves Last Season Wasn’t a Fluke
After having a career season last year, Artemi Panarin has shown so far this season that it wasn’t a one-off and has continued to be the Rangers’ best player. He has scored at least a point in the first five games and has five goals and 12 points in those games. He is currently tied with Sam Reinhart of the Florida Panthers for first in the league in points. He has already scored a hat-trick which was the eighth of his career and sixth for Rangers.
Panarin has scored a quarter of Rangers’ goals this season and contributed to half of the goals scored. He is proving that he can still be the player he was last season with 49 goals and 120 points. They will need him to continue this style of play until the end of the season and in the playoffs. If he can keep up this pace, there’s no reason why he won’t be in the conversation for the Hart Trophy come the end of the season.
Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad Off to a Strong Season
There were questions going into this season that focused on Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad and whether they could be key offensive players after both players did not participate in the Eastern Conference finals. Especially with Zibanejad, who had many questioning his ability to be the team’s leading center after a decline in offensive production. In five games this season, both players have started well and have started to get used to their new teammate, Reilly Smith.
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Kreider is second on the team with five goals and no assists while Zibanejad has one goal and five points in five games. Both are point-per-game players and have played well on both sides of the puck so far this season. They have been contributing offensively while being good defensive players and are still two of the Rangers’ best penalty killers. Smith looked good in their line as he scored one goal and four points. If they can continue to play well as a linebacker, the Rangers may not need to go out and look for another right wing closer to the trade deadline.
Alexis Lafreniere Creates Her Breakthrough Moment
After finally coming into his own last season with 28 goals and 57 points, Alexis Lafreniere has picked up where he left off and continues to develop into a top player in the league. He has three goals and six points in five games and his line with Panarin and Vincent Trocheck has once again looked like it could be the best line in the league this season. The Rangers will have to sign him to a contract after this season and if he continues to play like he did, he will get himself a long, expensive contract and will be an important part of the Rangers. move forward.
The Rangers are looking to go to the Stanley Cup Finals this season and if they want to, they will need a top six to continue to produce the majority of the offense. They have scored 18 of their 24 goals this season and it has helped them get off to a good start, but they will need to continue that form if they are to go through. They have attacking pieces in place, they just need to continue playing at a high level.
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