RALEIGH, N.C. – What a dramatic twist of fate for the New York Rangers! After basking in the glory of their Presidents’ Trophy win last season and a stellar playoff run, this year has taken a shocking nosedive. How did the team go from being top dogs in the Metropolitan Division for 24 weeks to finishing 22nd in the NHL and missing the playoffs entirely?

Vincent Trocheck didn’t mince words following the Rangers’ staggering 7-3 loss to the Hurricanes: "You can’t just show up and expect the same results as last year. We earned it then; we haven’t earned it this year." This sobering realization highlights the lack of drive that’s plagued the Rangers throughout the season.

In fact, this fall from grace is not just any ordinary slump. The Rangers have joined an elite but unfortunate group, becoming only the second team in franchise history—and just the fourth team in NHL history—to suffer such a catastrophic decline. The infamous 1991-92/1992-93 Rangers were the first, but fans might find solace in the fact that they went on to win the Stanley Cup just two years later. They’re hanging their hopes on a similar turnaround, given that it’s been almost three decades since they last hoisted Lord Stanley.

Also in the company of the Rangers are the 2006-07/2007-08 Buffalo Sabres and the 2013-14/2014-15 Boston Bruins, both of whom experienced similar heartbreaking fallouts.

Head coach Peter Laviolette acknowledged the defensive lapses that have been a consistent thorn in the Rangers' side. "It’s not a question of want; it’s about execution. We’re making coverage mistakes and losing track of players right in front of our net. We tried to claw our way back, but we simply gave up too many chances."

Throughout this tumultuous season, the Rangers have maintained a lineup that once achieved the highest goal total since March 2021. Yet, in a cruel twist of fate, rookies Gabe Perreault and Brennan Othmann remained healthy scratches, with Othmann missing his third straight game following a brief stint of increased playtime.

Laviolette explained the decision to bench Othmann: "We needed a centerman. With Jonny Brodzinski stepping up to the first line, we had to ensure we had enough depth down the middle." Meanwhile, Juuso Parssinen made an impressive comeback, racking up three points, showcasing the continual shuffle in a now-struggling lineup.

Igor Shesterkin found himself under fire, allowing five goals on just 26 shots—a heavy burden for any goaltender, especially when the team is desperately seeking a turnaround.

The Rangers’ saga this season serves as a stark reminder: sports trophies are never guaranteed, and yesterday's champions can quickly become today's underdogs.