The New York Rangers face a challenging week ahead, packed with games and crucial storylines to follow from December 15th to 21st.

The Gauntlet: Five Games in Seven Days

The Rangers are in the midst of a gruelling stretch, with five games scheduled in seven days. This condensed schedule includes two back-to-back sets, demanding careful fatigue management and strategic goaltender rotation. Head coach Mike Sullivan has acknowledged the "wicked stretch" of seven games in eleven days leading up to the Christmas break.

Battling for Consistency in a Tight Metropolitan Division

Currently, the Rangers are working to solidify their position in the competitive Metropolitan Division. Their recent performances have been inconsistent, with strong showings against top teams like the Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche offset by a shutout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. The team is focused on stringing together wins to rise from the middle of the division standings. As of December 8th, the team held a 15-12-4 record, highlighting their struggle to maintain consistent dominance.

Injury Updates: Rempe, Fox, and Quick

Several key players are dealing with injuries, adding to the challenges.

• Matt Rempe: The young enforcer is nearing a return after missing approximately 24 games due to an upper-body injury sustained in October. He has resumed practicing in a non-contact jersey.
• Adam Fox: The star defenseman's absence due to an upper-body injury has significantly impacted the team's power play, which went 0-for-8 in his absence. His health remains a primary concern. The team is currently searching for a temporary replacement to quarterback the top power-play unit and stabilize the defense in Fox's absence.
• Jonathan Quick: The veteran backup goaltender is expected to be back in the lineup after recovering from a lower-body injury sustained in late November. With the demanding schedule, Quick is likely to start at least one or two games to give Igor Shesterkin some rest.

Igor Shesterkin's Heavy Workload

Igor Shesterkin has been the Rangers'primary goaltender, starting seven consecutive games due to Quick's injury and the team's need to secure points. With the eight-year contract he signed a year ago, expectations are high for him to lead the team through this busy period.

Looking Ahead

The Rangers' success in the upcoming week hinges on managing player fatigue, strategic goaltending decisions, and the potential return of key players from injury. They need to find consistency in their performance to solidify their standing in the Metropolitan Division.