New York Rangers: April Fools? Breaking down what lies ahead in final month of NHL season
It’s been quite the regression for the New York Rangers in 2024-25, but they’re down to the last month of the regular season with a chance to earn their fourth consecutive berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Included in a group of five teams separated by three points and all fighting for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference, it’s safe to say this one will come down to the wire for the Rangers.
After rebounding in February, the Rangers fell back to Earth in March, finishing 6-6-3. They enter April with 77 points, tied with the Montreal Canadiens, though Montreal owns the second wild card because it has played one fewer game.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are two points back but have two games in hand on the Rangers. The Detroit Red Wings and New York Islanders have 74 points each and one game in hand on the Rangers.
It appears what will likely be the last playoff spot to be filled in the NHL probably will take all 82 games to be decided. The Rangers haven’t seen a scenario like this since 2010, when the Philadelphia Flyers stole a playoff berth from them with a 2-1 shootout win in Game 82 of the regular season.
The Rangers have eight games remaining to decide their fate. Six of those eight are against current playoff teams, so it’s not an easy road ahead by any means. With that in mind, here’s everything you need to watch for in April.
Related: Here’s what you need to know after Rangers sign top prospect Gabe Perreault to entry-level contract
What to watch for in April with New York Rangers
April 2 – Potential NHL debut for Gabe Perreault
The Rangers signed their top prospect, 2023 first-round pick Gabe Perreault, to his first pro contract after the 19-year-old forward and Boston College were eliminated in the Elite Eight at the NCAA Tournament on Sunday. Perreault practiced on a line with J.T. Miller and Alexis Lafreniere on Tuesday and could make his NHL debut Wednesday when the Rangers host the Minnesota Wild at Madison Square Garden.
Perreault put up 16 goals and 48 points in 37 games with BC this season, as well as three goals and 10 points to help the United States win gold again at the 2025 World Junior Championship. The son of longtime NHL center Yanic Perreault is smart, has great hockey instincts and could give New York a much-needed lift in the final eight games of the season.
April 5 – Last installment of Rangers-Devils rivalry
The Rangers wrap up their season series with the New Jersey Devils on Saturday afternoon at Prudential Center. The Devils put a beatdown on the Rangers in the first two meetings, 5-1 on Dec. 2 and 5-0 on Dec. 23. The Rangers got one back Jan. 9 with an electric 3-2 overtime win on home ice when Sam Carrick was the unlikely OT hero.
New York will get a chance to grab a crucial two points in the standings by defeating its suddenly vulnerable rival. The Devils are third in the Metropolitan Division, but they haven’t been the same since losing center Jack Hughes for the season in early March because of a shoulder injury that required surgery. Hughes had five goals and eight points against the Rangers this season. The Devils are also missing top-pair defenseman Dougie Hamilton and are not as formidable as they were in the season’s first half.
April 9-12 – Three straight Metro matchups
After hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Garden on April 7, the Rangers will have three straight matchups against teams from the Metropolitan Division. First, they host Philadelphia on April 9, a must-win game against a weaker opponent. The Flyers, who won their first three games after firing coach John Tortorella last week, are tied for last in the division with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Rangers visit the Islanders one night later in a game that figures to have huge playoff implications. It’ll certainly be a must-win for the Rangers. Following that, they’ll visit the Carolina Hurricanes on April 12. The ‘Canes are all but assured of finishing second in the Metro but will still be primed to beat the team that eliminated them in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs last spring.
April 14 and 17 – Last two games of regular season
If a trip to the playoffs comes down to the final two games of the season, the Rangers will have to earn it. They face the Florida Panthers and Lightning, two of the three teams battling for first place in the Atlantic Division. Don’t forget that Florida ended the Rangers’ season last year, bouncing the Rangers at Amerant Bank Arena in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final.
The Rangers complete their season when the Lightning make their second visit to the Garden in a 10-day span. Depending on how their next seven games go, Game 82 could be a “win and you’re in” scenario for the Rangers. If that’s the case, expect a playoff-like atmosphere at MSG.
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