The New York Rangers have had an impressive regular season, winning the Presidents’ Trophy and finishing with three more wins than any other team in the NHL. As a result, they have secured home-ice advantage throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs and are the biggest favorites in Round 1. Despite their success, mainstream bookmakers do not have the Rangers as clear favorites to win the Cup. FanDuel lists them third behind the Hurricanes and Panthers, while DraftKings has them fifth behind those teams, as well as the Avalanche and Oilers.
One of the main concerns surrounding the Rangers is their goal difference at 5-on-5 play, which is only +1 for the season. This puts them in the middle of the pack in terms of goal scoring and goals conceded. However, the team has an abundance of talented playmakers, led by Artemi Panarin, who create high-quality scoring chances. Additionally, their goaltenders are able to cover up most of their defensive flaws. The Rangers are also strong in special teams situations, ranking highly in power-play and penalty-kill percentages.
Despite their regular-season success, there are still lingering doubts about the Rangers’ ability to have playoff success. Their path to the Stanley Cup is difficult, with potential matchups against tough teams like the Hurricanes, who are considered the Stanley Cup favorite by many sportsbooks. Carolina has a strong 5-on-5 game and a power play that could match up well with the Rangers. If the two teams meet in the playoffs, Carolina would likely be the betting favorite to win the best-of-seven series.
While the Rangers have elite skill, a top goaltender, and playoff experience, they are just one of many teams with legitimate aspirations to win the Stanley Cup. In today’s NHL, there are numerous competitive teams that could go all the way, making it challenging for any team to establish themselves as the clear favorite. New York may have a tough road ahead, with strong opponents and potential challenges with their power play effectiveness and officiating standards in the playoffs. Despite this, the Rangers have the talent and experience to make a deep playoff run and potentially lift the Stanley Cup.
