New York Rangers Should Still be Sellers Despite Better Play in Recent Games – The Hockey Writers – New York Rangers

The New York Rangers don’t play until Saturday against the Boston Bruins. After their performance in the last two games, they could use these extra days off to practice. With one regulation loss in January and pushing back into the playoff race, the Rangers played two of their worst games of the season back to back. They fought back against the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday before a giveaway with 15 seconds left in the third period cost them the game, then gave a heartless effort in the next game, a 4-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Rangers gave up big points in these last two games, and they are now three points back of the last wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Even though they could clinch a berth if they go on a hot streak, it should not deter them from selling off players at the 2025 Trade Deadline to help them build for next season and beyond.

Rangers Likely Won’t Compete Well Against Top Teams in the Playoffs

If these last two games are any indication, the Rangers won’t fare well against the top teams in the league if they make the playoffs. First, with 32 games left to play and with so many teams in the mix for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, every game will feel like a playoff game from now on. That means that even if they make the postseason, they won’t be at full strength, and they would likely have to face one of the top teams in the league in the first round. They would stand no chance against the Washington Capitals or Florida Panthers.

Despite their poor recent play, the Rangers have turned it around in the past few weeks. Goaltender Igor Shesterkin has given the team a chance to win every night. Before giving up nine goals in the last two games, he was playing at a high level. Since his return from injury, he has played nine games, with a save percentage of .900-plus in six of those games, including back-to-back shutouts. So, while Shesterkin could carry the Rangers to the playoffs and even steal a round for them, he can’t do it all on his own, and the team in front of him just hasn’t been good enough this season.

Rangers Must Sell Off Pending UFAs at the Deadline

While the Blueshirts don’t have many pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs,) they should be willing to move them ahead of the March 7 trade deadline. They took defenseman Will Borgen off the market by signing him to a five-year contract…