The Hockey News - New York Rangers

Is The Rangers' Core Still In Need Of A Dissection?

stan fischler

Mon, Feb 17, 2026, 12:06 p.m. PST·1 min read

A little more than two months have elapsed since the Rangers corpse was being examined. The question at the time: was the patient alive or not?

It was alive – thanks to a 4-1-1 run; but it was not enough to inspire the coroner to forget the 4-15-0 dive through late November and all of December.

At the time, analytics experts – they all are; just ask them – figured that the Rangers had an under 35 percent chance to make the playoffs

Now it's down to 30 percent and counting.

One thing is certain, if the Blueshirts are to come through, it only will be because of "The Difference-Makers."

Now, as then, the Chief Difference-Maker is Igor Shesterkin. The problem with Iggy – from January 14 to February 17 – is as deep as the ocean.

He hasn't come through. Plus, there's no substantive evidence that he will be a difference-maker in the zany Met Area playoff race ahead.

Assuming that's the case, the difference-makers will have to be Shesty's defense – tighter than tight – and contributions from the crack forwards.

In other words, Adam Fox and crew have to be better on the blue line while Breadman Panarin, J.T. Miller – for sure Alexis Lafrenière – and Vincent Trocheck must lead the way. (Prayers for Mika!)

All of this home stretch stuff is worth thinking about between now and the Rangers return to action next Saturday in Buffalo.