10 pivotal games that shaped New York Rangers memorable 2023-24 season

The New York Rangers were just six wins shy of their ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup in 2023-24, but fell short in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final to the Florida Panthers. Still, there was plenty to be proud of.
The Rangers set franchise records with 55 wins and 114 points, securing the Presidents’ Trophy as the best team in the NHL throughout the regular season. They went on to sweep the Washington Capitals in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and defeated the Carolina Hurricanes in six games in round two, before being eliminated in the ECF for the second time in three years.
Throughout any regular season, there are memorable games, incredible streaks, and notable moments that shape the team’s story, which is never the same from year to year.
With that in mind, here are 10 regular-season games that shaped 2023-24 for the New York Rangers.
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10. Oct. 12, 2023 – Rangers @ Buffalo Sabres

After a bitter first-round exit in the 2022-23 playoffs, the Rangers were looking to quickly wipe those memories away and start anew under coach Peter Laviolette. They did so with a dominating 5-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres in their season opener. Alexis Lafreniere scored New York’s first goal, and started what would be a breakout year for the 2020 first-overall pick.
9. Oct. 30, 2023 – Rangers @ Winnipeg Jets

The Rangers got off to an OK start in 2023-24 with a 3-2-0 record through five games. Then they began their road trip which started with a win in Seattle against the Kraken, followed by the tour of Western Canada, where they won all three games against the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, and Vancouver Canucks. Defeating the Winnipeg Jets at the end of the long, grueling journemeant a sweep of their five-game road trip, and a five-game win streak for the Blueshirts. They did just that, and in dramatic fashion as the Rangers took down the Jets 3-2 in overtime. This was the first of many win streaks, and set the tone and expectations for the Rangers for the rest of the season.
8. Nov. 2 , 2023- Rangers vs Carolina Hurricanes

Just two days later, New York returned home to face the Carolina Hurricanes, looking to extend their win streak to six games. They accomplished that goal with a 2-1 win, but it was a costly victory. New York sustained injuries to Filip Chytil, who would not return until the playoffs, and Adam Fox, who missed a month of action with a knee issue, and had a hard time adjusting once he returned. Igor Shesterkin was also shaken up, but did not miss nearly as much time.
7. Dec. 16 – Rangers @ Boston Bruins

The Rangers were rolling when December came around. The Boston Bruins were one of the top teams in the league around this time, making this a huge matchup between the Original Six rivals, and the top two teams in the Eastern Conference. Boston took a 1-0 lead before Vincent Trocheck found the equalizer in the third period. It would take overtime, but it was Trocheck again who scored the game-winner, and secure two important points for the Rangers.
6. Jan. 13 – Rangers @ Washington Capitals

This matchup against the Washington Capitals marked a low point for the Rangers season. They lost 3-2, their fourth consecutive defeat. It was a brutal month of January as a whole for New York, and this game marked the first and only time the Rangers lost four straight. They were 3-3-1 over their next seven games, before making a huge run.
5. Jan. 27 – Rangers @ Ottawa Senators

If there was ever a tipping point in the Rangers season, it was in this game. After a tough month, and multiple injuries on the Rangers blue line, Connor Mackey got the call against the Ottawa Senators, his only NHL appearance of the season. With the Rangers down 2-0 early in the second period, Mackey went toe-to-toe with Brady Tkachuk of the Senators, and New York never looked back. Following the fight, the Rangers scored seven unanswered goals to win 7-2, the start of a season-high 10 game win streak.
4. Feb. 18 – Rangers vs New York Islanders at MetLife Stadium

The 2024 Stadium Series at MetLife Stadium had ‘game of the year’ written all over it. After falling behind 4-1 and 5-3, the Rangers rallied late in the third period to send this one to overtime. Artemi Panarin scored the game winner mere seconds into OT, sending the crowd at MetLife into pandemonium. This was certainly one to remember for the Rangers as they kept their win streak alive.
3. Feb. 24 – Rangers @ Philadelphia Flyers

The Rangers extended their winning streak to 10 games with a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. Of course, Matt Rempe scored the game-winner with his first NHL goal amidst “Rempe-Mania” that swept the Rangers fanbase and the League as a whole. The Rangers now had a comfortable lead in the division with a record of 39-16-3.
2. March 12 – Rangers @ Carolina Hurricanes

Playing Carolina for the first time since the injuries sustained by Chytil and Fox, the Rangers certainly had revenge on their minds. It was also a good preview of what would turn out to be the second-round playoff matchup. Igor Shesterkin was incredible in this game, saving all 28 shots to help New York earn a tight 1-0 win on the road. Fox scored the Rangers lone goal.
1. April 15 – Rangers vs Ottawa Senators

In their final game of the regular season, the Rangers earned another shutout win, 4-0 over the Ottawa Senators. With that, they set a franchise record in wins with 55, and points with 114, earning the Presidents’ Trophy. They finished with a record of 55-23-4, and went on to win their first seven postseason games.
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