The 38-year-old forward’s last of 16 NHL seasons saw him put up 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists) in 54 games with the Rangers before sustaining a lower-body injury against the Montreal Canadiens on Feb. 15, 2024, that kept him out of the remainder of the regular season.

He didn’t play again taking the ice for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Florida Panthers on May 28, 2024. Wheeler was scoreless in 9:18 of ice time in his final NHL appearance.

Blake Wheeler has retired from the NHL. The former Winnipeg Jets captain played 1,172 career games, with 943 points and 321 goals ✈️ pic.twitter.com/R01QDlJIF7

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) July 19, 2025

“I tore the ligaments on both sides of my ankle, and then I broke my fibula,” Wheeler said Wednesday on “Jets at Noon.” “Once I got hurt, I was already kinda feeling like that was gonna be sort of my last year when I was playing, even healthy in New York. And then when the injury happened, it just felt like that was some sort of sign. I hadn’t really been hurt my entire career more or less.”

Wheeler went unsigned prior to the 2024-25 season but opted against retiring and officially remained a free agent until telling “Jets at Noon” this week that his career was over.

“I just didn’t have anything left in the tank for it,” he said. “I was at peace with it almost immediately.” 

The injury was a turning point for a player who had remained relatively healthy throughout his career.

Blake Wheeler, who finished NHL career with Rangers, retires

Wheeler spent 13 seasons with the Atlanta Thrashers/Winnipeg Jets organization after he was acquired by the Thrashers in February 2011 in a trade with the Boston Bruins, who had signed him as a free agent on July 1, 2008. The Arizona Coyotes had taken him with the fifth pick in the 2004 NHL Draft but were unable to sign him after his college career at Minnesota ended.

The Thrashers franchise moved to Winnipeg in the summer of 2011, and Wheeler became a steady point producer for more than a decade. He was named captain heading into 2016-17 and wore the “C” for six seasons before coach Rick Bowness stripped him of the captaincy before the 2022-23 season.

The native of Plymouth, Minnesota, had back-to-back 91-point seasons in 2017–18 and 2018–19, and was selected to the NHL All-Star Game in each season. He had at least 20 goals and 60 points in seven consecutive seasons with the Jets while serving as a steadying presence in the locker room during six trips to the playoffs.

Blake Wheeler is calling it a career after 1,172 games! 👏

Best of luck in retirement, Blake! pic.twitter.com/j1h41nVE80

— NHL (@NHL) July 19, 2025

He finished his NHL career with 943 points (321 goals, 622 assists) in 1,172 regular-season games, and had 45 points (10 goals, 35 assists) in 66 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Wheeler remains the Jets’ all-time leader in games played (897), assists (550) and points (812).

After the Jets bought out his contract in June 2023, the Rangers signed Wheeler to a one-year contract on July 1, 2023; the deal was worth $800,000 with another $300,000 in potential bonuses. 

“More or less, right after last year knew I was all done,” Wheeler said. “I just haven’t felt like a rush to like make a formal announcement or anything. But yeah, after my injury and kinda the way things ended last year,

“So yeah, I was at peace with it almost immediately after last year.”

Wheeler is the second player this week to announce his retirement after playing his final season with the Rangers. Goaltender Jaroslav Halak, who backed up Igor Shesterkin in 2022-23 and spent the next two seasons unable to find another team willing to sign him, officially retired on Friday. He finished his career with 295 wins and 53 shutouts.

That means win as many games as you can down the stretch of the season.

So, their narrow 2-1 loss to the League-leading Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday is not a reason to pat themselves on the back for a job pretty well done against an elite opponent. It was still a loss, two points not gained in the standings. Plain and simple.

But, yes, the Rangers were better against the first overall Jets than they were this past weekend, blowing a pair of two-goal leads in Ottawa where they lost 4-3 in overtime to the Senators. Or that 7-3 drubbing at the hands of the Columbus Blue Jackets at MSG the next night.

There were still egregious defensive miscues in Winnipeg, though fewer of them. And the Rangers pretty much stood toe to toe with the Jets over 60 minutes of play in the opener of a critical three-game road trip.

Close is not good enough, though. Better is not good enough. The Rangers (31-28-6) are now 10th in the conference after the Montreal Canadiens moved percentage points ahead of them. But the Rangers remain just two points out of the second wild card with 17 games to play. And some of the good things they did Tuesday need to carry forward as the schedule continues Thursday in Minnesota against the Wild.

Related: Winners, losers from Rangers loss in Winnipeg to start road trip

Three takeaways from Rangers 2-1 loss to Jets

Here are three takeaways from the Rangers fourth straight loss on Tuesday.

1. Not quite measuring up

The loss Tuesday dropped the Rangers to 9-18-4 against teams currently in a playoff spot, and they were swept in their two-game season series against the Jets. Since the 4 Nations break, the Rangers are winless against teams in a playoff spot (0-3-2). Their next three games are against such teams as are four of their next five.

Since 11 of their final 17 games are against playoff teams, the Rangers better learn quickly how to defeat the League’s best and not just feast on the weaker teams. It very well could be the decisive factor as to whether they reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the fourth straight season or not.

2. Crucial breakdowns, even if fewer of them

First, the good news: the Rangers committed fewer defensive breakdowns than in weekend losses to the Ottawa Senators and Columbus Blue Jackets. Now, the bad news. The Rangers still had some egregious collapses defensively as they continue to struggle with the speed of the game and man-to-man coverage.

On the Jets first goal, Winnipeg had just three players in the offensive zone and New York had all five of its players back. Should’ve been advantage Rangers. But no. The Rangers were running around, showing no structure in their positioning and somehow allowed Vladislav Naesmtnikov to slip behind everyone for a goal-mouth tip that hit his stick, then Sam Carrick, before crossing the goal line. How Namestnikov and Cole Perfetti, who made the pass from left wing, had so much space to operate in, is baffling and inexcusable.

MORE VLADDY SMILES 😁 pic.twitter.com/DvlaRQKDfQ

— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) March 12, 2025

Then there were the three clean breakaways for the Jets, including one by Namestnikov just 60 seconds after the Jets snagged a 2-1 lead early in the second period. The Rangers were caught flat-footed and looked slow on each. Igor Shesterkin stopped each breakaway in a sterling performance, albeit a losing effort.

3. Follow fourth

Yet again, the Rangers fourth line of Matt Rempe, Jonny Brodzinski and Brennan Othmann played a simple and effective game. They got the puck in deep, won their one-on-one battles, generated traffic in front of Connor Hellebuyck’s net and were an overall nuisance while generating some of New York’s better scoring chances.

The rest of the Rangers could take some notes on how effective it is to keep things as simple as possible and just out work the opposition. This doesn’t mean the fourth line was perfect — their defensive zone play was wanting on more than one occasion. But turn them loose in the offensive zone and they’re effective.

Rempe, who had the misfortune of being wrongly penalized for goalie interference when shoved into Hellebuyck early in the second period leading to Winnipeg’s go-ahead goal on the power play, had four hits and three shot attempts in nine minutes of even-strength TOI. Simple and effective and hard-nosed described his game.

Brodzinski was less noticeable than he’s been of late, but still buzzed the offensive zone. And Othmann had one powerhouse shift in the first period when he recorded three shots on goal, one from long range and two from the slot. It started with a home-run pass from Shesterkin to Othmann, and the rookie hammering a hard low slap shot on net that was kicked out by Hellebuyck and just missed by Rempe on the rebound. Then that line won a series of puck battles which led to prime chances for the rookie forward after he twice found the soft spot in Winnipeg’s defense in the slot.

The Rangers (31-28-6) lost their fourth consecutive game (0-2-2) and remain ninth in the Eastern Conference. However, they failed to gain ground on the Columbus Blue Jackets, who lost to the New Jersey Devils but remain two points up on the Rangers for the second wild card in the East. The Rangers also lost ground on the Ottawa Senators, who won their game Tuesday and are five points ahead of the Blueshirts.

Connor Hellebuyck outdueled Igor Shesterkin in a matchup of two of the best goalies in the NHL. Hellebuyck finished with 21 saves and allowed one goal or fewer for the 20th time this season. The win was his League-leading 38th for the Jets (45-17-4), who have two more points than the Washington Capitals in the race for the Presidents Trophy.

Shesterkin made 22 saves for the Rangers, who were swept in the season series by the Jets (0-2-0). Mika Zibanejad’s power-play goal in the first period was all New York could get past Hellebuyck, whose teammates blocked 21 shots. Artemi Panarin had an assist on that goal to extend his point streak to six games.

Vladislav Namestnikov and Gabe Vilardi scored for Winnipeg, and Cole Perfetti assisted on each goal.

“There’s no consolation at this point in the season,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said about his team playing better than in the weekend losses to the Senators and Blue Jackets. “It’s frustrating for sure.”

Related: Should Alexis Lafreniere be playing for his Rangers future down stretch this season

Winnipeg Jets 2 – New York Rangers 1

The Rangers have allowed the first goal within the opening two minutes of a game 12 times this season. But they nearly turned the tables on the Jets to start this contest.

However, on a quick rush into the Jets end, Carson Soucy collected a drop pas from Panarin and ripped a shot off the post 1:52 into play.

It could’ve been a massive jumpstart for the Rangers but instead was a near miss. Then three minutes and change later, the Jets actually did score the first goal of the game.

Despite having five men back defending and only three Jets in the offensive zone, the Rangers were caught out of position, allowing Perfetti space to zip a cross-crease pass to Namestnikov. The puck deflected off the former Ranger’s stick, hit Sam Carrick who was trailing on the back-check and caromed into the net at 5:18 to make it 1-0 Jets.

It was Namestnikov’s first goal in 13 games and 11th of the season.

The Rangers answered back at the 11-minute mark of the first period, when it was their turn to cash in a fortunate bounce. On the power play, J.T. Miller partially whiffed when trying to make a pass, but the puck trickled to Zibanejad in the slot and he wasted no time snapping a shot past Hellebuyck for his 15th goal. It was just Zibanejad’s fifth on the power play and New York’s first power-play goal in five games.

POWER PLAY MIKA FROM THE SLOT. pic.twitter.com/ifj6kGojSq

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 12, 2025

Chris Kreider nearly made it 2-1 at 15:44 when he got behind the Jets defense, but Hellebuyck made a strong pad save to keep the game tied.

It was a good first period on the road against a quality opponent for the Rangers, who out-chanced the Jets 13-7 in all situations and had a 56.65 percent xGF, per Natural Stat Trick.

The Rangers came out bombing in the second period, but Hellebuyck was on point to deny heavy slap shots by Carrick and Vincent Trocheck in the first three minutes. Then at 3:11, Matt Rempe was called for goalie interference when he landed on Hellebuyck after being shoved by a Jets defender. It’s a penalty that infuriated the Rangers since it appeared Rempe had no chance of avoiding the goalie after he was pushed.

Matt Rempe got a goaltender interference penalty on this play 🤔
pic.twitter.com/yyD6JhSKAy

— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) March 12, 2025

Laviolette and company were even angrier a couple minutes later when the Jets cashed in with a power-play goal to take a 2-1 lead. Vilardi scored his 27th goal at 5:06, burying a backhand feed from Perfetti after Perfetti fumbled his initial pass attempt into the slot, not dissimilar to Miller on Zibanejad’s goal.

“I didn’t agree with it. They’re saying they want to protect the goaltenders, but I just didn’t agree with it,” Laviolette said about the call against Rempe.

The Rangers defensive structure broke down several times after falling behind 2-1, but Shesterkin made a string of huge saves to keep the deficit at one. The first came at 6:08, 62 seconds after the goal, when Namestnikov got behind Zac Jones for a clean break in. Later on a Jets power-play, Mark Scheifele took a feed right out in front, didn’t get all of his shot and Shesterkin cleaned that one up too. At 12:30, Jets forward Dave Lowry was in behind the Rangers defense, only to be stoned by Shesterkin.

Later in the period, it was Hellebuyck’s turn to star between the pipes. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner swallowed up Panarin’s snap shot after a head-man feed at 15:10. Then following a media timeout, Hellebuyck made a sharp save when Will Cuylle deflected a long Will Borgen shot. And seconds later, Borgen set up Zibanejad for a booming one-timer that Hellebuyck sticked aside.

The Jets thought they’d taken a 3-1 lead 3:06 into the third period, when Dylan Demelo’s drive beat Shesterkin. But the Rangers challenged, believing Morgan Barron –who was clearly in the blue paint battling with Rangers defenseman Urho Vaakanainen — interfered with Shesterkin. Video review overturned the on-ice call, likely because Barron’s skate hit Shesterkin’s skate as the Rangers goalie was trying to kick out his right leg.

Goaltender interference takes the Winnipeg goal off the board#GoJetsGo pic.twitter.com/rOXahUPCh5

— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) March 12, 2025

Shortly after, Demelo was assessed a minor penalty for high-sticking at 5:46. The Rangers had some good looks on their third power play but didn’t score. Back at even strength, Shesterkin was forced to make a big-time save on Perfetti after he raced down the middle of the ice from his own end for a prime scoring chance. Another sharp Shesterkin save came later in the period when Barron burst in for a hard, low backhand shot.

Most of the third period featured good pressure by the Rangers but few shots on goal, with the Jets repeatedly blocking shots and passes. One of the best looks came with 1:22 to play and Shesterkin on the bench for the extra attacker, when Trocheck’s open look deflected off a stick and out of play. Twenty seconds later, Zibanejad — stationed to the left of the net — hammered a puck out of mid air, but just wide of the cage.

The Rangers managed only five shots on goal in the third period. And that was part of the difference in a bitter one-goal loss for the Rangers, who head to Minnesota to continue this road trip with a game against the Wild on Thursday.

“Yeah, it sucks,” Borgen summed up postgame.

That’s not exactly a soft landing spot for the Rangers (31-27-6), who’ve dropped three straight (0-1-2) after losing to the two teams ahead of them in the Eastern Conference playoff race on consecutive days Saturday and Sunday. The Jets (44-17-4) lead the Western Conference and are tied with the Washington Capitals for most points in the NHL with 92.

Perhaps the Rangers are catching the Jets at the right time, however. The Jets just returned from an East Coast trip and are 2-3-1 in their past six games since a franchise-record 11-game winning streak.

Or maybe that’s wishful thinking. The Jets have been a powerhouse all season, allowing the fewest goals in the NHL (2.32 per game) and scoring the third most (3.49). Their goal differential is whopping +76, far and away the best in the League. By contrast, the Rangers are -2 after losing 4-3 in overtime to the Ottawa Senators on Saturday and 7-3 on home ice to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday.

The Rangers are ninth in the East, two points behind the Blue Jackets for the second wild card and three back of the Senators for the top wild-card spot.

New York is trying to avoid being swept in the season series after losing 6-3 at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 12. The Jets are 4-0-1 in their past five games against the Rangers; but the Rangers have won seven of their past 10 visits to Canada Life Centre.

Related: Should Alexis Lafreniere be playing for his Rangers future down stretch of season

3 things to watch for when Rangers visit Jets

1. Bounce back

If the Rangers weren’t resilient, they would’ve just caved after that 4-15-0 stretch in November and December. They didn’t and are now in the thick of the playoff race with 18 games to play in the regular season.

That’s relevant because the Rangers were kicked in the teeth twice last weekend. First, they blew a pair of two-goals leads, including one midway through the third period, in losing to the Senators. Then they somehow got blown out 7-3 by the Blue Jackets after tying the game in the second period with a pair of short-handed goals on the same penalty kill. Who does that?

The Rangers need to leave that all in the past and focus on playing a tight, smart game against an elite opponent Tuesday. A big bounce-back win in the ‘Peg would do wonders for the Rangers.

2. Not-so-welcoming hosts

The Jets have treated visitors rather rudely at Canada Life Centre this season. They are an imposing 23-5-4 on home ice and own a six-game point streak at home (5-0-1). They’ve lost only twice in regulation in their past 20 home games (14-2-4).

On the flip side, the Rangers are 15-13-3 away from MSG this season, but have points in four of their past five road games (3-1-1).

Also, to keep in mind for the Rangers, it would behoove them to get a lead and keep it. The Jets are 27-3- when scoring first, 25-0-3 when leading after the first period and 34-0-1 when leading after two periods. They’re the only team not to lose in regulation this season when leading after 40 minutes.

3. Revolving door on third line

Arthur Kaliyev returns to the Rangers lineup Tuesday. his first game action after being a healthy scratch the past seven games. He replaces Brett Berard, who played against Columbus. Berard had replaced Juuso Parssinen, who played four games after being acquired from the Colorado Avalanche in the Ryan Lindgren trade but was scratched after being a minus-2 against Ottawa.

Rangers coach Peter Laviolette is looking for the right fit on that line after moving center Sam Carrick up from the fourth line and Chris Kreider’s return from injury this past weekend.

Kaliyev has four points (three goals, one assist) in 13 games with the Rangers. He has one goal in his past games played.

New York Rangers projected lineup

Panarin – Trocheck – Lafreniere

Cuylle – J.T. Miller- Zibanejad

Kreider – Carrick – Kaliyev

Othmann – Brodzinski – Rempe

K. Miller – Borgen

Vaakanaien – Schneider

Soucy – Jones

Shesterkin

Quick

Rangers vs. Jets: When, where, what time, how to watch

Who: New York Rangers vs. Winnipeg Jets

When: Tuesday, March 11 at 8:00 p.m. ET

Where: Canada Life Centre

How to watch: MSG

After tinkering around the edges before the deadline on Friday by trading forward Reilly Smith to the Vegas Golden Knights and adding defenseman Carson Soucy from the Vancouver Canucks, the Rangers missed their chance to take over a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with back-to-back losses against the two teams directly ahead of them in the standings.

They had to settle for one point when a 3-1 third-period lead turned into a 4-3 OT road loss to the Ottawa Senators on Saturday, then got blown out 7-3 at home on Sunday by the Columbus Blue Jackets. The results left the Rangers heading into the first of back-to-back four-game weeks in ninth place, one point behind the Senators and two in back of the Blue Jackets, holders of the two wild cards. The Blue Jackets have a game in hand on the Rangers; the Senators have two.

After winning just twice during a stretch that saw them play five of six games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers face a nasty three-game trip that begins against the Western Conference-leading Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday and continues with a visit to the Minnesota Wild on Thursday. But the key game comes Saturday, when the Rangers head to Columbus for a rematch against the Blue Jackets.

Even tougher is the fact that the Rangers have to fly back to New York for a Sunday night date with Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and the Edmonton Oilers, who demolished New York 6-2 on Nov. 23.

We should have a much better idea of the Rangers’ playoff hopes a week from today. This is a week the Rangers can’t afford to be at anything but their best.

Who’s hot

Artemi Panarin has rediscovered his scoring touch. The Rangers’ top scorer (67 points in 62 games) has goals in each of New York’s five games in March, giving him 28 for the season. He’s two away from his fifth season (third with the Rangers) with at least 30 goals and his his five-game goal streak ties his NHL career high.

Who’s not

Igor Shesterkin was in goal for two overtime losses last week that saw the Rangers cough up third-period leads each time – a 2-1 edge against the Washington Capitals at the Garden on Wednesday turned into a 3-2 OT loss, and the Senators came from two goals down in the final 10 minutes of regulation before Shesterkin was beaten by Brady Tkachuk 33 seconds into overtime. His 21 regulation losses and 25 defeats (including four in overtime) are already career worsts.

Rangers lookahead this week includes …

Games 3, 4, 5 and 6 in a 15-day stretch that will see the Rangers play nine times.

Rangers at Winnipeg Jets (March 10, 8 p.m. ET; MSG)

There are easier ways to start a road trip than facing the top team in the Western Conference, albeit one that’s coming off a split of its four-game swing through the East, which ended with a 4-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday.

The Jets have been first or second in the overall standings all season, riding the combination of Connor Hellebuyck’s goaltending (37-8-3, 1.99 goals-against average, .927 save percentage, six shutouts), a deep, balanced offense (five players with at least 50 points) and the League’s best power play (31.6 percent).

Winnipeg won 6-3 at the Garden on Nov. 12, setting an NHL record by winning 15 of its first 16 games. Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele, the Jets’ two 30-goal scorers, each had two against Shesterkin, who is 4-3-0 in his career against Winnipeg but with a 2.32 GAA and .932 save percentage.

Rangers at Minnesota Wild (March 12, 8 p.m.; MSG)

Minnesota is the only team that the Rangers haven’t seen yet; the Wild don’t come to the Garden until April 2. Minnesota is two different teams – a lousy 14-14-1 at home after a 3-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday in the opener of a seven-game homestand, but a fabulous 22-10-3 away from Xcel Energy Center.

The Rangers are catching the Wild when they’re beat up. Star left wing Kirill Kaprizov and center Joel Eriksson Ek are both out with injuries, a big reason Minnesota has dropped behind the Colorado Avalanche for third place in the Central Division. Minnesota trails Colorado by two points but still holds the first wild card in the Western Conference.

New York is 19-14-1 in its all-time series against the Wild, with each team winning five times in the past 10 games. Interestingly, neither team has ever shut out the other since Minnesota entered the NHL for the 2000-01 season.

Shesterkin has played just three times against the Wild in his career, and is 2-1-0 with a 2.95 goals-against average and .912 save percentage. If Marc-Andre Fleury is in goal for the Wild, he’ll be going for his 35th career win against the Rangers.

Rangers at Columbus Blue Jackets (March 15, 7 p.m. MSG)

Every game is a big game for the Rangers now, but this one might be the biggest. The Rangers will be looking to avenge their embarrassing loss to the Blue Jackets and win for the third time in four games against Columbus this season.

Even with the loss, the Rangers have won seven of their past 10 games against the Blue Jackets, including a 4-3 victory in their first visit to Nationwide Arena on Feb. 8.

Panarin, who played two seasons with the Blue Jackets early in his career, scored his 14th goal in 21 career games against Columbus in the loss Sunday.

Edmonton Oilers at Rangers (March 16, 7 p.m. ET; MSG)

Connor McDavid & Co. wrap up a four-game swing through the East – the last three in the New York area — with their lone visit to MSG this season.

McDavid has 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists) in 14 career games against the Rangers — including two goals and assist in the win in Edmonton that began New York’s year-ending 4-15-0 slide that knocked the Rangers out of a playoff berth.

NHL goal-scoring leader Leon Draisaitl is better than a point-a-game player against the Rangers (20 points; eight goals, 12 assists in 19 games). He had a goal and an assist in the early-season win.

Shesterkin has split two career decisions against the Oilers, allowing eight goals. Jonathan Quick, who could get the start in the second of back-to-back games, took the loss in Edmonton in November but is 25-13-6 against the Oilers with a 2.27 GAA and .918 save percentage.

“It’s the hardest thing ever,” Zibanejad said Wednesday, one day after his turnovers led directly to three goals against in a 6-3 loss to the Jets.

Along with his defensive woes, Zibanejad continues to struggle offensively. He has just two goals in 14 games; and as a former 41 goal-scorer and a key member of the top power-play unit, that simply isn’t good enough.

Despite this, Zibanejad seems determined to work through the struggles to try to find the game that was once so dominant for the Rangers.

“I can bury myself in negativity and make it worse, or I can try and learn from it,” Zibanejad reasoned.

'His confidence can go with the snap of a finger!'@4EverBlueshirts executive editor @JimCerny breaks down Mika Zibanejad’s struggles after a turnover-filled night with @BrandonLondonTV #NYR

Full video ➡️ https://t.co/Y6J6JM7KFT pic.twitter.com/QCPXUO3RI9

— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) November 13, 2024

When asked about Zibanejad’s play Tuesday, Rangers coach Peter Laviolette elected to defer to the team, as he often does, rather than singling out any one player. That being said, it is hard to ignore the obvious, which are that three turnovers leading to three goals in a 6-3 loss is about as bad as it gets.

“I can’t speak for Mika and where he’s at,” Laviolette said postgame. “Sometimes, not him, but sometimes when you are pushing offensively to try and make things happen, things can go the other way for us like they did for us tonight as a group, not specifically speaking about him.”

So, while Laviolette did not necessarily place any blame on Zibanejad, the fact of the matter is that he needs to be better. Much better.

On the surface, 11 points (two goals, nine assists) in 14 games isn’t terrible production. But Zibanejad looks lost, defeated and down on the ice, shies away from contact and has been a turnover machine of late. He is tied with Alexis Lafreniere with a team-worst minus-6 rating and no matter which line he’s centered, that group has been weighted down with poor numbers in puck possession and scoring chances.

Perhaps the 31-year-old is playing hurt. He did leave the ice early in the second period against the Jets, missing a shift when in the dressing room, before returning and finishing the game. Both Laviolette and Zibanejad downplayed things, though neither provided an explanation.

Here’s #NYR Mika Zibanejad feeling discomfort. pic.twitter.com/XIHSl6WRmh

— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) November 13, 2024

Related: 3 Rangers takeaways from 6-3 loss to Jets, hottest team in NHL

3 Zibanejad turnovers lead to goals in 6-3 loss

Tuesday was just the latest example of Zibanejad’s dip in play. Though the Rangers are not exactly the darlings of the analytics world, Zibanejad’s xGF of 41.88 percent, per Natural Stat Trick, is terrible this season. The Rangers have been outscored 11-5 with him on the ice 5v5 and out-chanced 101-70.

Laviolette likes to point out that Zibanejad typically is out there against other team’s top players, which is true. But it’s clear that he’s not winning enough battles nor being effective enough at either end of the rink.

This after a dismal showing as the Stanley Cup Playoffs progressed last spring. Among his postseason transgressions, Zibanejad failed to score a goal in his final 11 playoff games.

Then there was Tuesday against the Jets. Less than a minute into the first period, Zibanejad’s weak clearing attempt was held in at the left point by Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey. He quickly fed the puck to Mark Scheifele, who snapped it past Igor Shesterkin, and the Rangers were down 1-0 just 57 seconds into the game.

That is a terrible turnover by Mika Zibanejad. #NYR pic.twitter.com/LvpEBTC2OI

— Stat Boy Steven 🇳🇱🇮🇪 (@StatBoy_Steven) November 13, 2024

The second critical turnover came when Zibanejad skated the puck into the offensive zone, and just seemingly lost it as he attempted to make a pass. After he fanned on the pass, the Jets took the puck away and took off on a 2-on-1. Kyle Connor buried his shot off the rush to make it 3-2 late in the second period.

To cap it all off, Zibanejad had his pocket picked when skating with the puck in the neutral zone early in the third period. The Jets jumped into transition and Scheifele scored again to make it 4-2.

“There’s isolated instances for everybody out there,” explained Laviolette. “We could have done something different whether it be puck decisions or whether it be a little bit more responsibility when we’re pressing in the offensive zone. There’s definitely situations where we could have done things better.”

While Laviolette kept things about the team, it is hard not to single out Zibanejad here. As the No. 1 center already slumping to start the season, it is hard not to ignore these glaring issues, especially when they arise so frequently.

“It’s one of those games where you’re trying to punch away at them and generate offense,” Laviolette continued. “Sometimes you have to cover up and make sure that you’re not bleeding the other way. Those incidents, they cost us tonight.”

They certainly did cost the Rangers, who have struggled to play .500 hockey over the past several weeks. Their 4-4-0 record in that span is not solely Zibanejad’s fault, just as those three crucial giveaways were not the sole reason the Rangers lost to the Jets. But he’s an important player who plays important minutes. That means his play can often help dictate the Rangers’ fortunes.

His next chance to get back on track is Thursday, when the Rangers host the San Jose Sharks.

“I’m not happy about yesterday,” Zibanejad explained. “But if I think about it too much, I don’t think you’re going to see a very good player tomorrow.”

New York out-shot (36-33), out-attempted (68-54) and out-chanced (36-28) Winnipeg overall. But in the end, the first-overall Jets capitalized more readily on Rangers mistakes and never trailed in their latest victory.

Listen, it’s no disgrace losing to the Jets (15-1-0) these days. They set an NHL record by winning for the 15th time in their first 16 games, and improved to 8-0-0 when scoring first and 7-0-0 on the road.

“It just seemed like we’d make a mistake inside of the game and it ends up costing us. It turns around quick,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette explained postgame. “There were a lot of isolated incidents out there where, right now they’re the top team in the League and they make you pay.”

Laviolette added that he was happy with how the Rangers (9-4-1) played offensively, getting to their game, pushing the play and generating quality chances. A bounce here or there — they hit iron at least three times — and perhaps there’s a different outcome.

The overall compete level was very good, as well as it should be, skating against such a quality opponent. But again there were a slew of defensive breakdowns, and the Jets capitalized time and again.

The Rangers are 4-4-0 in their past eight games and must hope that this game — albeit a loss — can help spring them forward to better days and efforts ahead, especially with a four-game road trip looming.

Related: Revisiting the Jacob Trouba – Neal Pionk trade from 5 years ago

3 takeaways from Rangers 6-3 loss to Jets

Here are three takeaways from the game Tuesday.

1. What’s up with Mika?

This was one to forget for Mika Zibanejad. The Rangers center was minus-4 and, worse, he made a slew of egregious turnovers that led directly to goals by the Jets. When asked if Zibanejad is pressing, Laviolette provided a non-answer, “I can’t speak for Mika. We count on Mika. He’s an impact player for us.”

That is a terrible turnover by Mika Zibanejad. #NYR pic.twitter.com/LvpEBTC2OI

— Stat Boy Steven 🇳🇱🇮🇪 (@StatBoy_Steven) November 13, 2024

He made an impact alright, just not a positive one Tuesday. It started with a soft clearing attempt in the game’s first minute which was kept in at the left point by Josh Morrissey. Seconds later Mark Scheifele buried a shot from the low slot, and the Rangers ended up chasing the Jets the rest of the night.

There was also a turnover in the offensive end which led to a Jets odd-man rush and Kyle Connor goal in the second period. And he was stripped of the puck in the neutral zone early in the third, leading to a quick transition goal by Scheifele seconds later that made it 4-2.

Kyle Connor takes advantage of a Mika Zibanejad turnover and hits double digit goals on the season with a pure snipe 🎯 pic.twitter.com/JMADI4NEFS

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) November 13, 2024

His line with Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere — before the latter two were reunited with Vincent Trocheck — was outscored 3-0 at 5v5 — and had a brutal xGF of 35.66 percent, per Natural Stat Trick.

Zibanejad did leave the game for a bit in the second period, so perhaps he’s playing hurt. But excuses aside, it was a rough night for No. 93.

2. Struggling against the big boys

Last season is last season. But as a point of comparison, the Rangers rose up and met the challenge time and again last season when playing against the best teams in the NHL. Ironically, sometimes it was lesser teams that gave them more trouble.

Not so much this season. The Rangers have fattened up against the likes of the Detroit Red Wings (three wins in a season series sweep already), Pittsburgh Penguins, Montreal Canadiens and Anaheim Ducks — as well they should — but struggled against the big boys.

The Rangers did defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs on the road Oct. 19, but aside from that, they didn’t quite measure up against top teams like the Florida Panthers and Jets. You can count the 10-4-0 Washington Capitals in that group, too.

It’s early. But this is a trend to keep an eye on. Road games against the Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers (who’ve had their own issues this season) and Carolina Hurricanes remain big challenges on the schedule this month.

3. Third line superlatives, again

It was far from all bad Tuesday night for the Rangers. Heading the list of positives was another strong game from the third line, which outscored the Jets 2-0 when on the ice. Will Cuylle and Kaapo Kakko scored similar goals, planting themselves in front of Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck to score off rebounds generated by Braden Schneider point shots.

That line — centered by Filip Chytil, who had an assist and won five of eight face-offs — had a 6-1 advantage in scoring chances, per Natural Stat Trick, 3-0 in high-danger opportunities. Their xGF was a robust 85.71 percent.

This line keeps it simple, plays smart in all three zones, and continues to be the most consistent among Rangers forwards this season. Cuylle – Chytil – Kakko have now outscored opponents 11-0 at 5v5 this season.

The Jets became the first team in NHL history to win 15 of its first 16 games in a season. They did so with Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor each scoring two goals and goalie Connor Hellebuyck finishing with 34 saves.

Connor also had an assist for a three-point game. That was equaled by his teammate Neal Pionk; the ex-Rangers defenseman had three assists in the win. Gabriel Vilardi and Vladislav Namestnikov also scored for the Jets.

“They were opportunistic. The main difference is that they executed on their opportunities and chances, and we didn’t,” Rangers forward Reilly Smith said postgame.

The Rangers (9-4-1) chased the Jets (15-1-0) all night long after allowing a Scheifele goal 57 seconds following the opening face-off. Winnipeg is now 8-0-0 when scoring first this season; New York is 0-4-1 when allowing the first goal.

Will Cuylle, Alexis Lafreniere and Kaapo Kakko scored for the Rangers. Braden Schneider had two assists and Igor Shesterkin made 26 saves.

Related: Rangers coach letting defense pair ‘settle in’

Winnipeg Jets 6 – New York Rangers 3

Just as they did in their previous home game, a 6-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres last Thursday, Shesterkin and the Rangers allowed a goal less than a minute into the game. This time a weak clearing attempt by Mika Zibanejad was kept in at the left point by Winnipeg’s Josh Morrissey, and the defenseman sent a pass into the slot, where Scheifele beat Shesterkin one-on-one over the glove. Scheifele’s eighth goal of the season was scored 57 seconds into the game.

Though the Jets surged and controlled play the next several minutes, Shesterkin turned them aside to keep this a one-goal game. And the Rangers, who nearly scored before Scheifele’s goal when Chris Kreider rang a shot off the post on the game’s first shift, settled down and played a better defensive period as it progressed.

The quiet, and perhaps apprehensive, home crowd, woke up at 13:07 of the first period when Cuylle buried a rebound for his fifth goal to tie the score. Schneider kept a clearing attempt in at the right point, before firing a shot towards the net. Hellebuyck made the initial stop through traffic, but had no chance on Cuylle’s putback from the doorstep.

Cools in front. pic.twitter.com/LGYxDX8uh7

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) November 13, 2024

The game remained tied to the first intermission, though the Rangers had two more excellent scoring chances. First, Hellebuyck denied Adam Fox’s backhand attempt on a 2-on-1 short-handed rush. And then in the final seconds Lafreniere directed a gorgeous feed from Artemi Panarin off the outside of the post from in close.

All in all, it was largely an evenly-played period of hockey, one in which the Rangers regrouped nicely after the unfortunate start.

The Jets power play, which was tops in the League coming in, converting at 41.9 percent, struck at 8:58 of the second period to make it 2-1. This time a failed clear by Fox was kept in at the blue line by Pionk. He flipped a pass into the slot, where the puck bounced over K’Andre Miller’s stick. That gave Vilardi and Nikolaj Ehlers the chance to play give-and-go uncontested in front of Shesterkin. Vilardi scored an easy tap-in goal, his seventh of the season and third in four games, to restore Winnipeg’s one-goal advantage.

The Rangers answered back on the power play at 12:51. Lafreniere hammered his sixth goal of the season — second on the power play — through a Kreider screen to tie the score.

Let it fly, Laf. pic.twitter.com/hq95usY2KG

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) November 13, 2024

Hellebuyck made a pair of stellar saves against Panarin and Smith in the period, and Shesterkin was sharp, as well. But the Jets regained the lead once more before the second intermission arrived.

This time, Connor beat Shesterkin short side off the rush with a left-wing snipe at 16:03. It was his team-high 10th goal, and first in six games.

The teams traded goals in the opening two minutes of the third period. Scheifele redirected a Dylan Demelo shot past Shesterkin for his second of the night at 1:08. And Kakko answered back for the Rangers 32 seconds later when he pushed a loose puck over the goal line after another Schneider shot through traffic.

The important goal got the Rangers within one at 4-3, and was Kakko’s second of the season and first in eight games.

Shesterkin shined midway through the period, making four saves from the seat of his pants during a wild Jets flurry. On the next shift, Shesterkin made a fantastic glove save on a Haydn Fleury blast that was deflected late on the way in by Vilardi.

The opportunistic Jets scored again on an odd-man rush at 13:08 to take a 5-3 lead. This time Namestnikov set up Ehlers, whose shot went over the net. Namestnikov, though, collected the carom behind the goal line and tucked the puck inside the goal post before Shesterkin could scramble back into position.

Connor then finished off the Rangers scoring his second of the game into an empty-net with 20 seconds remaining in regulation.

“It’s tough to be happy with a loss like that,” Cuylle said. “For most of the game, we were neck and neck, and a couple bounces their way … a few posts. A tough loss.”

The loss dropped the Rangers to 4-4-0 in their past eight games. Next up, they will host the San Jose Sharks at MSG on Thursday, before commencing a four-game road trip in Seattle against the Kraken on Sunday.

Jacob Trouba was traded to the Rangers for Neal Pionk and a first-round pick, a massive deal that was set to give the Rangers a huge boost on defense amidst their sped-up rebuild heading into the 2019-20 season.

In Winnipeg, Trouba had established himself as a consistent top-four defenseman. In his last season with the Jets, he certainly upped his trade value by scoring 50 points, an NHL career high, before heading to New York. Since then, he signed a seven-year contract with the Rangers, carrying an AAV of $8 million. He has also served as their captain since the 2022-23 season and become a veteran leader for this group.

Trouba also hasn’t come close to matching his final season with the Jets, at least not offensively. He did have 39 points in 2021-22 and 30 the following season, though scoring is not always the best measure of his value.

Pionk had a solid two seasons with the Rangers before the trade to Winnipeg. In his rookie season he played in 28 games, earning 14 points in the 2017-18 season. In his first full season in the NHL, he logged 26 points in 73 games, but was a minus-16 on a struggling Rangers team.

Since being traded to the Jets, he has been a top-four mainstay. Pionk set an NHL career-high with 45 points in his first season after the trade and has been over 30 every season since. He’s off to a great start offensively this season with 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) in 15 games, fourth among all NHL defensemen.

He is currently on a four-year $5.875 million AAV contract with the Jets.

Side note, that first-round pick in the trade? Winnipeg selected defenseman Ville Heinola with the pick and the oft-injured 23-year-old has played just 35 NHL games, including 10 this season.

Related: Rangers vs. Jets: 3 things to watch for facing off against top team in NHL

Trouba and Pionk face off against former teams

While both players have done a fine job since being swapped for one another, let’s take a look at how things are shaking out present day.

The road for Trouba has been a rocky one, to say the least. After a down season in 2023-24 with just 22 points in 69 games and struggles in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, there was speculation that general manager Chris Drury tried to trade his captain and free up that $8 million in cap space. This didn’t go over well with Trouba, and rumors spread regarding the possibility that he may have even shut the trade down with his no-move clause.

Trouba got off to a hot start on the season with four assists in his first three games, but has just one assist in his past 10. He’s yet to find the back of the net, but all things considered, is off to a better start this season than how he ended the last.

That being said, it’s still been a rough go for the Rangers captain. According to Natural Stat Trick, Trouba has been on the ice for 98 scoring chances for, 185 against, as well as 46 high-danger chances for, 78 against in all situations. However, the Rangers have a slight edge in scoring, 13-12, when he’s been on the ice. His xGF at 5v5 is decent, 49.6 percent.

Pionk couldn’t be having a better time in Winnipeg. The Jets are rolling this season with a 14-1-0 record, the first team in NHL history to win 14 of their first 15 games. Pionk has been the better player of these two offensively with 14 points, and his scoring chances look much better, though that could also be because he is on a team that’s playing much better this season. Still, his 52.99 percent xGF 5v5 is impressive.

In all situations, Pionk has been on the ice for 147 scoring chances for, 145 against, and 69 high-danger chances for, 61 against. The Jets have outscored opponents 33-18 when he’s been on the ice. His numbers are vastly better than Trouba’s in these categories.

Compare them in any way you like, these are two second-pair defensemen with very different play styles. Trouba is a more physical defenseman, a shot blocker, and a captain. Pionk is more skillful, offensive-minded, and uses his skating to enhance his play.

Winner or loser in this trade? Again, there are many ways to judge that. But in the end, the Rangers have reached the conference final in two of the past three seasons with Trouba playing a big role. The Jets have advanced to the second round of the playoffs once since the trade.

But make your own judgement Tuesday when Trouba’s Rangers and Pionk’s Jets face-off at MSG.

The Jets (14-1-0) have won six in a row after losing their only game of the season Oct. 28 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. They started off with an eight-game wining streak and are the only team in NHL history to win 14 of their first 15 games. Under new coach Scott Arniel, a former Rangers assistant, the Jets have fired on all cylinders since Day 1 this season.

Winnipeg just took care of the Dallas Stars, defeating the Western Conference power 4-1 on Saturday. That followed a pair of shutouts against the Utah Hockey Club and the Colorado Avalanche. They Jets are also 6-0-0 on the road.

You get the point. The Jets are playing at a superb level. How sustainable this run is can be debated. But there’s no debate that they’re the best in the NHL right now.

The Rangers (9-3-1) have the fifth-highest points percentage in the League (.731) even though they’re 4-3-0 in their past seven games. They were better in a 4-0 shutout win against the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday, following an ugly 6-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday. But there’s plenty that needs to be cleaned up in their game, especially facing such an elite opponent Tuesday.

Related: Rangers look to take down ‘top dogs’ when they face NHL-best Jets

3 things to watch for when Rangers host Jets

1. First goal wins

OK, this is quite simplistic. But with the Rangers and Jets, scoring the first goal is a big deal. How big? Well, the Rangers are 9-0-0 when scoring first this season. Yes, that accounts for each of their wins so far. Conversely, the Rangers are 0-3-1 — winless — when allowing the first goal.

The Jets are 7-0-0 scoring first. Of course, since they’ve won all but one game this season, they’re still pretty darn good — 7-1-0 — when giving up the first one.

That doesn’t mean you can pick up and leave The Garden on Tuesday after the first goal is scored because you know the game’s outcome already. But it is something to keep an eye. Especially for the Rangers, who could use a major jolt of energy that comes from an early lead on home ice. They could use that at a time their confidence is not so high right now and against such an elite opponent.

2. Best on best

Each team owns elite goaltending. Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck (11-1-0, 1.83 goals-against average, .935 save percentage, three shutouts) is the reigning Vezina Trophy winner as top NHL goalie, and a two-time Vezina winner. He’s also the NHL First Star of the Week after allowing one goal in three starts. New York’s Igor Shesterkin (6-3-1, 2.62 GAA, .920 save percentage, one shutout) won the Vezina in 2021-22 and has been lights out this season, except for his last start against the Sabres when he allowed five goals on 12 shots.

The Jets have the lowest team GAA (2.07) and the Rangers are second (2.31). The teams are tied for best save percentage (.929). So, safe to call it best on best Tuesday.

An equally intriguing elite matchup will be the League’s top power play — the Jets are an almost absurd 41.9 percent — against the top PK in the NHL, where the Rangers are 91.1 percent and have allowed one power-play goal in the past seven games, and only four in 13 games this season.

3. Trade partners

The Rangers and Jets swapped defensemen in a trade back on June 17, 2019, when New York acquired its future captain Jacob Trouba in exchange for Neal Pionk and a first-round draft pick. Though Trouba is the higher profile player — not to mention higher paid ($8 million AAV to $5.875 million) — it’s been a trade that, by and large, has worked out for each side.

Despite his overpriced contract, Trouba has been a hard-hitting defenseman and team leader, who twice topped 30 points. He struggled badly last season and through the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He started strong this season but has tapered off, and his defensive play is again under fire.

Pionk’s been extremely steady for the Jets, and actually has a higher TOI these days (21:01) than Trouba (20:28). The 29-year-old has 30+ points in each of his five seasons with the Jets, including an NHL career-high 45 in 2019-20. He’s off to an outstanding start on the second defense pair this season; his 14 points are fourth most among all NHL defensemen so far and are three more than New York’s star d-man Adam Fox, who has 11.

New York Rangers projected lineup

Panarin – Zibanejad – Lafreniere

Kreider – Trocheck – Smith

Cuylle – Chytil – Kakko

Edstrom – Carrick – Rempe

Lindgren – Fox

Miller – Trouba

Jones – Schneider

Shesterkin

Quick

Rangers vs. Jets: When, where, what time, how to watch

Who: New York Rangers vs. Winnipeg Jets

When: Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. ET

Where: Madison Square Garden

How to Watch: MSG

Click here for New York Rangers complete 2024-25 schedule and game results