13 Game Temp Check: The Kids Are Alright but the Season Still Isn’t
A late-season surge brings some optimism, but the Rangers’ place in the standings—and bigger questions about their future—haven’t changed.
It's hard to believe that we are already approaching the final stretch of the 2025-26 season. As we even out the check-ins following the team's return to action from the Olympic break, the New York Rangers have played much better hockey, at least for a quarter of these games. It genuinely feels like a lifetime since we’ve had any positive things to say about this team, so the fact that there are at least a few good things to come from these last couple of weeks is encouraging.
Despite winning four consecutive games for the first time since October of 2024, the Rangers remain 30th overall in the league standings and at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, which was exactly where they stood during our last check in over a month ago.
While those wins certainly don't help their draft lottery odds, it is something to feel good about, which is important heading into next season. Their season record of 28-33-9 may be bleak, but positive individual performances, specifically from younger players on this team, are just as crucial.
Before we get into it, let's take a look at the prediction-results side-by-side:
V. Philadelphia—L 3-2 OT Loss V. Philadelphia
V. Pittsburgh—L 3-2 SO Win V. Pittsburgh
V. Columbus—W 5-4 OT Loss V. Columbus
V. Toronto—W 6-2 Win V. Toronto
@ New Jersey—L 6-3 Loss @ New Jersey
@ Philadelphia—L 6-2 Win @ Philadelphia
V. Calgary—L 4-0 Win V. Calgary
@ Winnipeg—W 6-3 Win @ Winnipeg
@ Minnesota—L 4-2 Win @ Minnesota
V. Los Angeles—L 4-1 Loss V. Los Angeles
V. New Jersey—W 6-3 Loss V. New Jersey
@ Columbus—L 6-3 Loss @ Columbus
V. Winnipeg—W. 3-2 SO Loss V. Winnipeg
The results may not line up perfectly with the expectations, but the Rangers actually exceeded them overall by winning one more game than predicted. Winning is fun, especially in bunches, but improving draft lottery odds and giving young players opportunities needs to be the priority.
What Went Well
For once, many things actually went well for this team. First off, Gabe Perreault and Alexis Lafrenière: The chemistry that these two seemingly have coupled with how well they’re playing on that top line with Mika Zibanejad is such an encouraging sign. We half-heartedly joke about the fact that Artemi Panarin was holding Lafrenière back, and while that may sound like a cop-out of sorts, there really is a case to be made that Lafrenière just needed to fully be put in a position where he has no choice but to be the guy for this Rangers team. If he continues to play like this for the rest of the season, the Rangers won’t have to worry about who that top line is going to be come opening night next season.
Beyond that, the Rangers are going to have options when it comes to constructing a bottom six next season. Adam Edstrom has suddenly turned into a player of interest in Mike Sullivan’s eyes, even getting a look on the second line while J.T. Miller and Taylor Raddysh were out. Beyond him and Rempe, who has been hurt all season, the Rangers have discovered a hidden gem in Jaroslav Chmelar, who has also seemed to impress Mike Sullivan since being recalled from Hartford ahead of the trade deadline. On top of that, you pick up a guy like Tye Kartye, who is exactly the type of player a team like the Rangers need at this point in time.
