10 worst New York Rangers losses in 2024-25 NHL season

Already reeling with one win in their previous six games, the Rangers entered this game against their rival New Jersey Devils in dire need of a win. Instead, the Devils walked all over them at Madison Square Garden, scoring four straight goals before Chris Kreider got the lone Rangers goal in the second period. Jack Hughes had his way with the Rangers once again, scoring two goals in a 5-1 beatdown.

The Rangers managed to set a season-high losing streak when they dropped their fifth straight, losing on the road to the Philadelphia Flyers 3-1. After starting the season 12-4-1, the Rangers lost five in a row in what was the start of a brutal stretch of hockey to end the calendar year. Travis Konecny had a pair of goals for the Flyers, and Vincent Trocheck scored the only goal for the struggling Rangers.

It’s never good when you lose to the last place team in the League, let alone twice roughly a week apart (don’t worry, the other one’s next). But that’s exactly what the Rangers did, first by losing to the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1 on home ice. Chicago was dead last in the NHL at the time, meaning the Rangers should have locked down an easy two points. Well, they couldn’t get more than just one goal past Arvid Soderblom and the rebuilding Blackhawks, which led to a rain of boos from the MSG Faithful

Eight days after losing to the Blackhawks, the Rangers faced a new last-place team in the NHL. Not only did they lose again, but they were shut out 2-0 on a 25 save performance by Juuse Saros. This really seemed like rock bottom for the Rangers, and maybe it was at the time. Failing to earn any points against two separate last-place teams is just about as bad as it gets. That pretty much sums up the Rangers stretch in November and December.

Looking to get revenge on the previous 5-1 beatdown from the Devils, the Rangers instead laid another goose egg, shut out 5-0 on the road. In terms of the Hudson River Rivalry, the Rangers were putting up no contest at this point in the season. Jack Hughes added two more goals against New York while the Rangers failed to produce any offense once again, held to a season-low 12 shots on goal.

Fighting for a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with the Ottawa Senators created an intense battle between the two teams in a Saturday matinee in Canada’s capital, one that the Rangers really needed to win. They had every chance to do so in regulation when Artemi Panarin gave New York a 3-1 lead with 12 minutes to play. Somehow, the Rangers couldn’t close it down. They gave up two goals in regulation and then lost in overtime after K’Andre Miller’s brutal turnover led directly to Brady Tkachuk’s game-winner.

Another instance when the Rangers seemed to rescue defeat from the jaws of victory. This one looked much different, however. After jumping out to a screaming 3-0 lead in the first period, this game had all the signs of being a home-ice blowout for New York. But, the Rangers sat back on their heels, and allowed the Dallas Stars to crawl back into the game. A big mistake against one of the better Western Conference teams. Once again, the Rangers couldn’t pull out the win, and lost in overtime.

Coming out of the 4 Nations Face-Off break rested and ready to push for a playoff spot, the Rangers opened with a favorable matchup against the Buffalo Sabres. Instead, they got absolutely smoked, 8-2. Clearly, New York was not prepared to play, while Buffalo was chomping at the bit. The Rangers surrendered five unanswered goals to start the game in the first period.

As each game goes by, the next one earns the label of ‘the most important game of the season,’ and this was no exception. Battling the Columbus Blue Jackets for a wild-card spot, the Rangers needed this win on home ice to really help their playoff chances. Instead, they were run out of their own building as Columbus dropped seven on Jonathan Quick and the Rangers. A hat trick from Adam Fantilli earned a four-point swing in favor of Columbus, and significantly lowered the Rangers playoff odds, all this despite the Rangers scoring two short-handed goals on the same penalty kill.

There’s not much that can be said about this loss other than the fact that it was a total no-show for everyone wearing blue with the exception of Igor Shesterkin. The Rangers were lifeless after taking a 1-0 lead 1:13 into the game, and ended up losing 2-1 to the Calgary Flames at a time where they desperately needed points. They sat back while Calgary held the puck in their own end, and settled for just 13 shots on goal. This one left many wondering, have the Rangers called it quits?