The Rangers lost season told in three key, concerning statistics

The New York Rangers’ decline from Presidents’ Trophy winners to a team struggling to stay competitive was a major cause for concern this season.

When looking at the on-ice performance in isolation from other factors affecting their 2024-25 season, the level of concern is heightened. This paints a bleak picture of the amount of work that President and General Manager Chris Drury must undertake in the offseason to bring the Rangers back as Stanley Cup contenders.

Mollie Walker from The New York Post highlights three alarming statistics from the season.

1. 17.6 power-play percentage

Ranking 28th in the NHL, the Rangers’ power play performance was shockingly poor. The team, which relied heavily on the power play for success in previous seasons, struggled to maintain possession and create scoring opportunities. Opponents found it increasingly easy to predict their plays, resulting in a lack of threat to score.

The Rangers had the eighth-fewest power-play opportunities (210), indicating their struggles in controlling the puck during five-on-five play. Additionally, they gave up seven shorthanded goals, tying for the fourth most in the league.

Despite Head Coach Peter Laviolette making changes to the power-play units throughout the season, the top unit remained consistent. The team capitalized on only two out of seven 5v3 opportunities they earned.

2. Five goals or more allowed a staggering 23 times

The Rangers allowed five or more goals in approximately 28.05% of their 82-game season. Beyond the statistics, those closely following the team witnessed a lack of resilience in the face of adversity. The team often collapsed when faced with challenges, leading to several high-scoring games against them.

They ranked tied for the fifth-most shots against per game (29.9) and had the fifth-highest expected-goals-against per 60 (2.75).

3. Top scorers’ decline in points

All of the Rangers’ top six scorers from the previous season, including Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, Adam Fox, Mika Zibanejad, and Alexis Lafrenière, saw a decrease of at least 10 points in their point totals this season.

Notable drops in production were seen in players like Zibanejad, Fox, and Kreider. Trocheck and Lafrenière also experienced regression in their point totals, with Lafrenière’s performance notably declining after signing a contract extension.

Panarin remained the team’s leading scorer but saw a significant decrease in points compared to his career high.