Rangers' 2024-25 season preview and prediction

There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to creating beautiful visual experiences with photography and digital art. From high school projects like art installations or photo montages – including those by internationally-known photographers -to elaborate installations in art museums with live musical accompaniment or installations of cutting edge digital works by talented visual artistry such as Art of Light by Tom Thomson or more recently The Secret History by Nickolai von Hagens or simply taking beautiful selfies, photographers have long provided us with means for artistic self-expression, while at the same time creating beautiful visualisations from which we can appreciate many other aspects such as text messages from whomever. Nevertheless, regardless of which side or which side, when talking of having someone, whether this type of thing (whether by being very or very much) makes us wonder about which side it all begins before us? And once upon that note we find ourselves, in no other than one way more or maybe another; another person’s voice as usual (often:)… then another, but this time round when The (mostly) run-it-back Rangers begin play Wednesday in Pittsburgh with many of the same strengths that propelled them back to the Eastern Conference Finals two seasons ago for another appearance in three. That bodes well, given that 2023-24 was marked by new franchise records in wins (55) and points (114). But ultimately what matters for Ranger fans is whether this current core can take another step deeper into the Stanley Cup playoffs than four teams have managed in four attempts since 1940 – meaning no further Cup victories for this franchise than their 1940 win! Only once since 1944 has their talent paid off. Led by Igor Shesterkin – their goalie of note – their scoring power and special teams play have all come together perfectly this season, promising success and lasting memories for fans everywhere. There are plenty of ingredients at play here for the Rangers to win a playoff series against Philadelphia this spring, yet much remains for them to prove as a team. What they have going for themShesterkin remains in Vezina Trophy contention with 36 victories last season and an excellent 2.58 goals-against average. He found himself sharper after an earlier midseason reset and continued that momentum into the playoffs. Overall, the Rangers gave up just 2.76 goals per game — seventh-best in the NHL — last season. As they make use of Zac Jones in top-6 minutes on defense, their opponent should find it increasingly hard to score against. As for themselves, however, five Rangers scored at least 25 goals last season; Artemi Panarin led all scorers with 49 in his record season of 49 goals scored last year alone! Panarin led all NHLers with 711 goals and assists, placing fifth for both goals and points (120). Chris Kreider led their attack with 39 goals (including 18 power-play goals). However, Alexis Lafreniere had an extraordinary year that included 28 regular season goals, 29 assists, and 14 playoff goals scored (for 28 total points in 16 playoff games). The Rangers should expect even more production from Lafreniere after his exceptional year as their captain scored 28 regular season and 29 playoff goals this past year! Can former No.1 overall pick, who turns 23 the day before their home opener on Oct 12, reach 40 goals this season? Lafreniere, Vincent Trocheck and Panarin formed one of the top lines in all of hockey last season. Filip Chytil seems healthy after only playing 10 regular season games last year due to injury; Adam Fox led their powerplay – ranking third with 26.4 percent success rate – as well as provided offense from behind his defenseman position. He scored 17 goals last season – more than any Rangers defenseman since Brian Leetch had 21 in 2000-01!The Blueshirts showed immense grit throughout 2023-24 as evidenced by their 28 comeback victories (the highest number ever achieved in an NHL season and franchise record!). New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox (23) reacts after scoring against Boston Bruins during the third period at TD Garden on November 9 / Brian Fluharty/USA TODAY SportsThey can use that quality during any low points that inevitably come up over an 82 game season, helping ensure they reach playoff contention. They should remain true to themselves. They possess too much talent to ignore this tournament, yet to become serious Cup contenders they may need to capitalize at the trade deadline. Their biggest offseason acquisition was right winger Reilly Smith who could play alongside Kreider and Mika Zibanejad on Kreider’s top line. Last season, he scored 13 goals and 27 assists for Pittsburgh; how well he fits with blue is sure to be one of the biggest early storylines of 2019. In recent seasons, some may argue that their Rangers may lack some of the sharp edges seen among teams which have gone further into playoffs than them. Chris Drury expressed after their Game 6 loss against Florida that his goal for this season would be transforming the Rangers into a heavier, more physical team. “With 6-foot-8 Matt Rempe and 6-foot-7 Adam Edstrom contributing, and captain Jacob Trouba’s contact skills on board, the Rangers may possess enough in-house talent. If the Panthers need any more players for the playoffs, they will require more at the deadline in order to deal with them effectively in a physical series. They could miss the playoffs due to injuries and underperformance by their healthy skaters; Panarin had lower body injuries that disrupted training camp – in their preseason home finale he only played four shifts before leaving to receive evaluation. Keep a keen eye on their third-ranked penalty kill (84.48 percent). Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey may experience camp injuries that will impact it early. Furthermore, there may be several danger zones which will determine their season fate. Recent years have brought troubles for this team in 5-on-5 play; when combined with power-play hiccups in playoff series, their struggles can quickly increase in severity. Prediction and Record: With this core returning for another 50-win campaign – 50-25-6 – and again being in contention in postseason battles this spring should come without too many surprises. Peter Laviolette’s systems worked wonders last season and there’s no reason he won’t put them back where they belong this time around. How the Blueshirts evolve over the course of this season – does Zibanejad produce more? Do Kaapo Kakko or Brennan Othmann get significant playing time at some point during the year or at trade deadline – will determine their eventual fate; with smart moves made before trade deadline, the Rangers could achieve 16 playoff victories as opposed to last season when their hopes died out at 10 due to lack of playoff victories from Peter Laviolette.