The Rangers Continue To Be Pathetic In Home Games

An enervated power play unit isn’t the only blank being drawn by the Rangers. In 14 contests so far, they’ve been shut out four times – all of which have occurred at the World’s Most Famous Arena. For a full season, that would amount to 23 games without a single goal, or 12 home matches with zero scoring. Not ideal.

The offensive ineptitude was on full display for most of the game against the Carolina Hurricanes last night. Vince Mercogliano of The Athletic summed up the embattled Original Six squad.

Imagine going an entire period without registering one single shot on goal. That’s exactly what the Rangers managed to accomplish. In six home games, head coach Mike Sullivan’s men have scored six goals, and five of those were against the San Jose Sharks.

On The Wrong Side Of History

Despite celebrating their centennial season as a hockey club, the Rangers have not been achieving desirable historic feats as 17 percent of the season is done.

Now 0-5-1 in home games, the Blueshirts are the NHL’s only winless team at home. Even the Calgary Flames and St. Louis Blues, the two teams with the fewest points in all of hockey, have won on their home ice.

Where Are The Franchise Guys At?

Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, J.T. Miller, and Alexis Lafreniere have a combined cap hit of $35,592,857. That quartet has collectively scored 10 goals and 27 points.

To put that into perspective, there are five individual players who have scored as many goals by themselves as those four altogether. It’s all culminated in the Rangers’ last-ranked power play and 30th-ranked offense.

Adjusting to Mike Sullivan’s new scheme and system can be partially attributed to that, but nearly a fifth of the season is done. At some point, the highest-paid players need to contribute and play up to their contracts.

Panarin’s lack of production is the most startling factor. His seven points in 14 games puts him on pace for just 41 points at season’s end. It’s not like his team hasn’t had scoring chances; they’re fourth and fifth in scoring chances for rate and total scoring chances, per Natural Stat Trick.

The Rangers are also ranked third in high-danger scoring chances. The opportunities have been abundant, but putting the puck into the net has been an astonishingly infrequent occurrence.

The Breadman Has To Be Shipped Off

There is no question that Artemi Panarin is one of hockey’s best players. Since his first campaign with New York in the 2019-2020, Yeast Mode’s 557 points are the fifth-best in the NHL. His uncharacteristically enervated start this season is just another reason he should be traded at the deadline.

For all of his accomplishments wearing the most storied jersey in professional hockey, Panarin’s quiet stat line in playoff games has garnered justifiable criticism.

It’s obvious that his team hit their ceiling back in 2023-2024, when they won the President’s Trophy and lost to the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Last season, the team openly quit on each other, on the coaches, and on the fans.

Panarin could command a considerable haul, something the Rangers need so they can accrue draft capital and maybe, just maybe, find a homegrown franchise stalwart. General manager Chris Drury ought to be calling his peers around the league.

Another Failed Prospect On Broadway

Stop if you’ve heard this before: another New York Rangers prospect has failed. This time, it’s Brennan Othmann.

To be fair, it’s not entirely on him. Head coach Mike Sullivan’s head-scratching maneuvers with the former first-round pick have been due to Othmann’s puck management and defense, or so he says.

There is no good reason why players like Adam Edstrom, Jonny Brodzinski, Conor Sheary, or Noah Laba should be getting ice time instead of Othmann. And yet, that’s exactly what’s happening.

The writing is on the wall. Othmann is going to join a long list of busts for the Rangers. That assortment includes the aforementioned Lafrenière, in addition to Kappo Kakko.

Other players on that infuriating ledger are Vitali Kravtsov, K’Andre Miller, Nils Lundkvist, Lias Andersson, Filip Chytil, and Dylan McIlrath. All first-round picks, all busts.

Adding insult to injury is seeing touted prospects for Metropolitan Division rivals routinely rise to superstardom. The New Jersey Devils have the Hughes brothers, Nico Hischier, and Jesper Bratt. The New York Islanders have Mathew Barzal, Matthew Schaefer, and even former Islander John Tavares, who is going to be in the Hall of Fame one day soon.

The homegrown talent development of the Rangers’ rivals relative to their own is objectively disproportionate, and a huge reason why the Bluehshirts have not won a Stanley Cup since 1994.

End Of My Rangers Rant

6-1-1 on the road and 0-5-1 at home with a historically bad lack of scoring on home ice has defined the Rangers’ season thus far. At some point, they’ve got to finally win a home game, right?

Being unable to win on home ice, rapidly achieving dubious historic feats, the league’s worst power play, and star players not doing anything is indicative of poor preparation. Mike Sullivan and his staff need to start holding players accountable, irrespective of their seniority or cap hit.

While they’re at it, why not call up 2023 first-round pick Gabriel Perreault, who is tearing it up in the AHL?

It’s time for the Rangers’ brass to grow a backbone and commit to a touted prospect of their own. No more busts or failed first-round picks. Let Gabe cook.