The New York Rangers are set to take on the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday in what will be their only game over a five-day stretch. After enduring a grueling schedule of nine games in 15 days with mixed results (3-5-1), the Rangers now find themselves in Los Angeles for an extended stay, providing them with a much-needed opportunity to recover and refocus.
Following their cross-country flight, the Rangers took a day off on Sunday, practiced Monday, and will face the Kings on Tuesday before another off day on Wednesday. They will then have one more practice on Thursday before continuing their California road trip with games against the Anaheim Ducks on Friday and the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.
This short break could prove beneficial as New York prepares for a tough challenge against Los Angeles. The Rangers snapped a three-game losing streak on Saturday with a dramatic 5-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks at Madison Square Garden. Despite being outshot 39-12 overall and managing just one shot on goal in the first period, the team capitalized on a late surge, scoring four goals on just six third-period shots, including an empty-netter. Goaltender Igor Shesterkin played a crucial role, delivering an outstanding performance and displaying fiery determination to help secure the win.
Heading into Tuesday’s game, the Rangers (34-31-6) are tied with the Islanders for ninth place in the Eastern Conference, sitting just one point behind the Montreal Canadiens for the final wild-card spot. The Canadiens will be in action against the St. Louis Blues in a game that will likely conclude around the time the Rangers drop the puck in Los Angeles.
Winning this matchup is crucial for New York, as it would set the stage for a potential sweep of their West Coast trip, with games against the struggling Ducks and last-place Sharks looming. However, consistency has been a challenge for the Rangers this season, making every game unpredictable.
Beating the Kings (39-21-9) will not be easy. Los Angeles is in excellent form, having won eight of their last nine games, and currently sits tied for second place in the Pacific Division with the Edmonton Oilers, trailing the first-place Vegas Golden Knights by five points. The Kings also dominated the Rangers in their previous meeting, securing a decisive 5-1 victory at Madison Square Garden on December 14.
With a difficult opponent ahead and playoff positioning on the line, the Rangers will need to bring their best effort if they hope to secure a crucial road win.