Rangers Heating Up at The Garden Ahead of Rivalry Clash with Islanders
The New York Rangers are back in their home barn Thursday night, squaring off against the Islanders in the second leg of a back-to-back. It’s a rivalry game, sure, but it’s also a chance for the Blueshirts to keep building momentum before the Olympic break. Two of their next three are at Madison Square Garden, and this team is trending in the right direction.
Let’s break down what’s fueling the Rangers right now - from Mika’s magic touch to a punishing physical presence that’s making opponents pay every night.
Blueshirts Bringing the Heat - Literally
If you’ve watched the Rangers this season, you’ve seen it: they’re not just playing fast, they’re playing hard. They lead the entire NHL in hits with 1,416 - and they’ve logged 30 or more in 20 different games.
That’s not just physicality for show; it’s part of their identity. They’re wearing teams down, shift after shift.
They’ve also been fearless in the defensive zone, ranking seventh in blocked shots with 818. This is a group committed to doing the gritty work that doesn’t always show up in the highlight reels.
And when the puck drops? They’re owning the dots.
The Rangers are winning 54.4% of their faceoffs, third-best in the league, and have hit the 60% mark in 13 games - second-most in the NHL. That kind of possession advantage sets the tone early and often.
Special Teams Surge
Since December 23, the Rangers’ power play has been electric - clicking at a league-best 31.0%. When they get the man advantage, they’re not just looking to set up - they’re finishing. That’s a big reason they’ve racked up eight combined overtime and shootout wins, tied for 10th most in the league.
And they’re not just relying on the stars. Rangers rookies have chipped in 27 assists and 41 points, ranking top 10 in both categories league-wide. On the back end, the defense has added 24 goals, tied for 12th among NHL blue lines.
Zibanejad’s Milestone Machine Keeps Rolling
Mika Zibanejad is in one of those grooves where everything he touches turns to gold. He’s riding a two-game point streak and has notched at least one point in 12 of his last 13 outings - piling up 10 goals and 11 assists in that stretch. That’s top-five scoring pace in the NHL over that span, and he’s doing it with his usual blend of skill, smarts, and clutch timing.
He leads the Rangers in goals (22) and power play tallies (10), and sits second in total points (50), assists (28), and faceoff wins (370). But the history books are where he’s really making noise.
His power play goal on January 28 tied him with Andy Bathgate for fifth-most goals in franchise history (272), and pushed him past Mark Messier for fourth-most power play points (233) as a Ranger. He’s now seventh in total points (639) and ninth in assists (367) in franchise history. He’s also just the fourth Ranger to record nine 20-goal seasons with the club.
Zibanejad already owns the franchise record for power play goals, and he’s the only active player to lead an Original Six team in that category. Among Swedish NHLers all-time, his 130 power play goals rank fifth, and his 336 career goals are just one shy of tying for sixth.
And talk about setting the tone - Mika has opened the scoring in eight games this season, more than any other player in the league. His 59 career game-opening goals tie him with Chris Kreider for second in Rangers history, and his 38 game-winners are seventh all-time for the franchise. He’s also got two hat tricks this year, giving him nine as a Ranger - tied for the most in team history.
J.T. Miller Finding His Groove
J.T. Miller is another Ranger heating up at just the right time.
He’s on a two-game point streak and has points in six of his last seven (3G, 7A). During that stretch, he leads the team in both assists and points.
Miller’s third on the team in goals (14) and faceoff wins (354), and sits third in total points (34). He’s also bringing the physical edge, ranking fourth in hits (94). And when the lights are brightest, he’s delivering - his three overtime goals this season are a career high and tied for second-most in the NHL.
Faceoffs? He’s been dominant.
Among players with at least 500 draws, his 60.3% win rate ranks third in the league. Since the start of last season, he’s maintained a 59.0% clip over 1,000+ faceoffs - again, third-best in the NHL.
That’s elite territory.
Trocheck Doing It All
Vincent Trocheck continues to be one of the Rangers’ most reliable two-way forces. He’s picked up points in four of his last six games - all assists - and ranks fourth on the team in points (33), fourth in assists (22), and fifth in goals (11).
He’s logging big minutes too, averaging 20:56 per game - 12th among all NHL forwards.
In the faceoff circle, Trocheck’s been a technician. His 58.0% win rate is second-best in franchise history among players with 500+ draws.
Since last season, he’s fifth in the NHL in faceoff percentage (58.5%) and fourth in total wins (1,287). He’s giving the Rangers a serious possession edge night in and night out.
Cuylle’s Physical Impact
Will Cuylle might not be the flashiest name on the roster, but his impact is undeniable. He leads the team in hits with 187 - a punishing presence every time he’s on the ice. He’s also tied for second in power play goals (4) and ranks fourth in overall goals (12).
Here’s the kicker: when Cuylle scores, the Rangers are nearly unbeatable - boasting a 10-1-0 record in those games. That’s the kind of depth scoring that separates contenders from pretenders.
Familiar Faces on the Other Bench
Thursday’s matchup against the Islanders brings a few familiar names back to The Garden. Islanders defenseman Carson Soucy spent parts of the last two seasons with the Rangers, tallying 11 points in 46 games.
Forward Anthony Duclair was a 2013 Rangers draft pick and skated in New York during the 2014-15 season. Tony DeAngelo, now on the Islanders’ blue line, played four seasons with the Rangers from 2017 to 2021.
Even behind the bench, there’s a connection - Rangers assistant coach Joe Sacco played parts of two seasons with the Islanders in the late '90s.
What’s Next
The Olympic break is coming, but the Rangers aren’t coasting into it. With two of their next three at home, they’ve got a chance to build even more momentum heading into the stretch run. Thursday’s tilt with the Islanders isn’t just about bragging rights - it’s about keeping the engine running hot.
And right now, this team looks like it’s built for the long haul.