The New York Rangers just wrapped up one of the most eventful-and turbulent-months in recent franchise memory. January had it all: history-making performances, a public organizational reset, and a string of results that clarified the direction the team is heading. From Mika Zibanejad’s Winter Classic heroics to a tough loss in Pittsburgh that capped off the month, the Rangers' January reads like a turning point, both on and off the ice.
Let’s break down the major storylines and stats that defined the Rangers' month.
Record: 3-10-1 - A Month to Forget
The Rangers kicked off January in style, with a 5-1 win over the Florida Panthers in the Winter Classic. Mika Zibanejad etched his name into the history books with the first-ever hat trick in a Winter Classic, and for a brief moment, it felt like that game might spark something bigger. Instead, it was more of a mirage.
What followed was a brutal stretch: five straight losses, including a 10-2 drubbing by the Boston Bruins and an 8-4 defeat at the hands of the Ottawa Senators. It was clear something wasn’t clicking.
Then came the turning point-"Letter 2.0"-released by GM Chris Drury on January 16. Much like the original rebuild letter from years ago, this one signaled a course correction. The team was shifting gears, and the message was clear: this group, as constructed, wasn’t getting it done.
To their credit, the Rangers responded with some fire. The very next night in Philadelphia, Zibanejad notched another hat trick in a 6-3 win.
But the momentum didn’t last. A winless California road trip followed, and while they did manage to beat Boston at home, they dropped back-to-back games to the Islanders and Penguins to close out the month.
So, in total: five straight losses before the letter, then a 2-6-0 run afterward. The record reflects a team at a crossroads, and Drury’s decision to pivot seems more justified with each passing game.
Mika Zibanejad: 22 Points in 14 Games
If there was a silver lining in January, it was Zibanejad. The veteran center was electric, tallying 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points in 14 games. That includes two hat tricks-one on the NHL’s biggest outdoor stage and another just 24 hours after the team’s internal reset.
Zibanejad also made history, becoming the Rangers’ all-time leader in power play goals and passing Andy Bathgate for fifth in franchise history in regular-season goals. He posted points in 13 of the 14 games played in January, including a 10-game point streak that began at the end of the month.
This isn’t just a hot streak-it’s a resurgence. After a down year in 2024-25 (20 goals, 62 points in 82 games), Zibanejad has already surpassed last year’s goal total with 23, and he’s sitting at 52 points through 55 games. He’s rediscovered his rhythm, and that’s a big deal for a franchise looking to retool around its core.
Jonathan Quick: 1-7-1, 4.56 GAA, .827 SV%
January was a rough ride for Jonathan Quick. The veteran goaltender entered the month with sparkling numbers-1.35 goals against average and a .941 save percentage-but was thrust into the spotlight when Igor Shesterkin went down with an injury. What followed was the toughest stretch of Quick’s career.
His final line for the month: 1-7-1 record, 4.56 GAA, and a .827 save percentage. That one win did push him to 408 career victories, moving him into 12th place on the NHL’s all-time wins list. But beyond that milestone, January exposed the limitations of relying on a 40-year-old backup for extended minutes.
To be fair, this wasn’t all on Quick. The defense in front of him struggled, and the team as a whole was out of sync.
But it’s clear he wasn’t built for this kind of workload anymore. Whether or not this marks the end of his time in New York-or the NHL altogether-remains to be seen.
What is clear, though, is that the Rangers need a more dependable backup option moving forward, someone who can step in and stabilize things if Shesterkin is unavailable.
Where the Rangers Go From Here
January was more than just a tough month in the standings-it was a defining stretch that forced the organization to look in the mirror. The release of Letter 2.0 wasn’t just a formality; it was a signal that changes are coming. With the Olympic break approaching, the next few weeks could see roster movement as the front office begins reshaping the team’s future.
There’s still talent here-Zibanejad is playing like a top-line center again, and there are pieces worth building around. But the message from management is clear: the status quo isn’t cutting it.
The record may not show it, but January was a month of clarity for the Rangers. Now, it’s about what they do with it.