How the NY Rangers Can Make the 2027 Stanley Cup Playoffs
In about two weeks, the New York Rangers open their season in TD Garden. One year ago today, anticipation was nearly nonexistent, but this year, fans cannot wait to head to Madison Square Garden to watch these Blueshirts. With an entirely different kind of roster looking to take the ice on September 29th, the possibility of Rangers playoff hockey has returned once more. However, much can go wrong this season, and while this team may have a chance at making the postseason, there’s very little room for error for that to happen. With just under three weeks to go, how exactly can these Rangers make the 2027 Stanley Cup Playoffs?
Defense Must Exist
For as long as Rangers fans can remember, their recent playoff runs have relied on something that certainly wasn’t immaculate defense. In several games, the Rangers have had to rely on Igor Shesterkin to steal key games in both the regular season and postseason. Outside of Adam Fox, there wasn’t much defense to brag about; hopefully Chris Drury’s offseason changes can at long last fix that. New York welcomes Sean Durzi and Marcus Pettersson as a solid second pair, looking to at long last build some defense in front of their stellar goaltender. Rounding out the defense is Braden Schneider, looking to bounce back paired with most likely Matthew Robertson, looking to build off a surprising rookie season. Good goaltending may win you a few games, but if there's anything that wins a team championships, it’s good defense.
A Healthy Roster
Over the past few seasons, many key players of this Rangers lineup have missed significant portions of their season, and if that were to happen yet again, they may as well start planning for the trade deadline already. For a team to be successful in the regular season, whether it's your stellar goaltender or your best defenseman, you need your key players on the ice. Key players like Shesterkin and Fox have had their share of injuries over the years, and it wasn’t much fun watching without them. Not only that, but you want players at 100% if your team is truly to contend, especially your captain. J.T. Miller spent a great deal of his time last season nowhere near 100%, and it certainly showed in his underwhelming season. Whether it’s serious or not, key players being anywhere but 100% is something the New York Rangers clearly can’t afford if they are to bounce back.
Breakout Seasons
For a team to truly take the next step, your youngsters must do so first. Over the past six seasons, fans have been waiting for their first overall pick, Alexis Lafrenière, to finally have a breakout year. Other than a brief surge in the 23-24 season, the 2020 first overall pick has been leaning closer to the bust category. Based on his late-season surge last season without Artemi Panarin, tying his career high in points, fans believe the 24-year-old has at last reached his breakout season, but if this team is to make the postseason, he won’t be the only one who needs to take the next step. If Lafreniere ends up not working out, their next best answer is Gabe Perreault, their previous top prospect, who had also shown promise with 27 points in 49 games. As the 26-27 season approaches, a lot falls on these two youngsters to have breakout years; only then will New York fans truly have a future to look forward to.
