Since the beginning of the season, NHL teams have been hit hard by COVID-19. From the end of December into the beginning of January, the Rangers were no exception. The Blueshirts had to play some games without star players Artemi Panarin, Barclay Goodrow, Igor Shesterkin and even head coach Gerard Gallant due to COVID-19 protocols. Despite the loss of important players and coaches, the Rangers were able to remain near the top of the Metropolitan Division, and currently sit in the number one spot. 

Since Dec. 31, the Rangers hold a 9-3 record, with games against both fierce and feeble competition. Two of those wins came against the back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning. Another two wins came against the Edmonton Oilers and Philadelphia Flyers, who are both struggling to put victories on the board. 

The wide range of competition gave backup goalie Alexandar Georgiev an opportunity to prove himself in the absence of Shesterkin due to the COVID-19 protocols. He was able to keep the team afloat in the standings with a 2-3 record until Shesterkin was able to come back to his starting spot. 

With 60 points, the Rangers are third in the league standings, and are first in the Metropolitan Division after Monday night. Rangers fans hope that the return of key players from COVID-19 protocols will allow the team to make a significant jump in the standings and break away from the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are three points behind. 

The Blueshirts are keeping up solid play led by Adam Fox, who leads the team in points, and Chris Kreider, who leads the team in goals. Neither of these two missed any time due to COVID-19,, allowing them to be consistent factors in all games this season. League-wide, Fox is leading in points by defensemen, and Krieder is in sole possession of the league lead in goals at 30, as of Monday night. 

Though Fox and Kreider are able to provide a bulk of the offense, the reason the Rangers have been able to win games through the entire season has undoubtedly been Shesterkin. He leads the league in save percentage, is second in goals against average and is the top name in the Vezina Trophy conversation for the best goaltender in the National Hockey League. 

The Rangers look forward to a home-heavy second half of the season, as 25 of their last 41 games will be at home. Shesterkin has been outstanding in home games, with 10 wins in 12 games and a .940 save percentage. His goals against average at home is just under two. 

To start the week, the Blueshirts played an electric game against the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday, scoring six unanswered goals in the second and third periods on the way to a 7-3 victory. Kreider’s hat trick sparked the Rangers’ offense in an incredible comeback, and propelled him to his career-high goals in a season. On Monday, it was more of the same. They came out on top in a 3-2 nail-biter against the Los Angeles Kings, which ended with a beautiful goal by Fox in the shootout. 

If the team can remain healthy and continue their dominant play, the Rangers have a great chance at making the playoffs. They’ll be back in action on Thursday night against the sputtering Columbus Blue Jackets.