Somehow the New York Rangers have found themselves with no goals at MSG through their first three home games. It’s like they’ve been watching the New York Jets and have been trying to figure out how to one up the most hopeless franchise in the tri-state area. Now, after watching three games at the Garden I have a much different feeling despite the Blueshirts 0-3 record on home ice and their inability to convert, there’s hope.

While you never want to be mentioned in the same sentence as the New York Jets, the Rangers have at least shown their fans they are on the right track. No goals at MSG so far is a problem, but they haven’t been lifeless outside of the home opener.

I had mentioned on the 30 On Broadway pod (note from Dave: Nick and Chris put on a great show. You should listen!) that they got a bit of a pass from me on night one because they looked like a team adjusting to their new coach. They also had missed a few key pieces in the preseason and night one was the first time the entire lineup had actually been on ice together. During the opener they looked like a team that was thinking more so than reacting and just playing and when you’re thinking it slows you down immensely.

Sunday night against Washington, outside of a few moments, the Rangers really controlled the play and the pace of the game. If it wasn’t for Charlie Lindgren getting revenge for his brother, then the Rangers would’ve easily skated away with a 4-1 or 5-1 victory over the Caps. Tuesday night against Edmonton it was basically the same kind of script where the Rangers controlled the play. Looking at Steven Valliquete’s Clear Sight Analytics chart after the game, the Rangers yet again deserved a win.

Sometimes, as much as it stinks, you have to just tip your hat and give the other goalie credit. Lindgren and Stuart Skinner simply stole both games.

It’s something as Rangers fans that we know all too well and have become pretty spoiled with over the years. Just think about how many times Henrik Lundqvist or Igor Shesterkin have taken a game from an opposing team that they rightfully should’ve won but because the Rangers had the better goalie they got the benefit of the doubt.

While some fans are panicking about the Rangers inability to score at home, there’s been huge glimmers of hope. One of the biggest being that Mika Zibanejad has a fire lit under him and looks like someone with a point to prove after having a down year last year.

In addition, the one bugaboo for the Rangers over the last several years has been their inability to defend in their own end. The critics have been quieted by the addition of Vlad Gavrikov in the offseason and Mike Sullivan’s actual defensive zone structure. The Rangers, through only four games, have looked like a much tighter group in their own end and it’s led to Igor Shesterkin rebounding from his down year last season.

While three games at home is still too early of a sample size to judge the Rangers, they’ve done a lot of good things so far and are showing as a team that will be a force when things begin to even out. Once Artemi Panarin and JT Miller round into shape, the Rangers offense will also find itself turning around as well. If they can keep their defense game in tact then this team will have a higher ceiling than many expected before entering the season.

More About: