The New York Rangers have slumped as the 2025-26 season progresses. The Rangers are currently ranked fifth in the Metropolitan Division, having won two games and lost three. However, the team’s thorough record of defeats at home this season has been more concerning.
Three games were played at Madison Square Garden, and the Rangers have not been able to gift the home crowd a win yet. The team fell 3-0 to the Pittsburgh Penguins at the home opener, 1-0 to the Washington Capitals, and 2-0 to the Edmonton Oilers. Although the Rangers avenged themselves against the Penguins with a 6-1 win on the road, the conspicuous absence of victories and goals at home is unsettling.
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The uneasy absence of goals at three home games has fans and analysts’ eyebrows furrowed in despair. Captain J.T. Miller has been unequivocal in his insistence that losses so early into the season should not be made bigger than what they are:
“First of all, let’s not make this bigger than it is. It’s game five. There’s a lot to like about our game,” he told reporters Tuesday, before emphasizing that even though the situation is an aberration, but doesn’t warrant extensive attention. “It’s a unique situation, but let’s not blow this out of proportion here.”
Stephen Valiquette, an analyst for the New York Rangers on MSG and a former goaltender, has shared a scoring chances report of the Rangers and the Oilers and stated that despite dominating the High Danger run of play 10-3, and being better overall at 31-19, the Rangers’ chances were sabotaged because the team “couldn’t buy a bounce.” Valiquette further stated that the Rangers’ process was proper, but the team eventually fell short.
“Scoring Chances Report @NYRangersvs @EdmontonOilers Rangers dominated the run of play — 10-3 in High Danger and 31-19 overall, but couldn’t buy a bounce. Process was right, finish wasn’t there. #NYR Data Courtesy of @csahockey,” Valiquette posted on X.
As the Rangers prepare to meet the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Scotiabank Arena, they carry the weight of a series of failed performances at home. Despite away wins, the Rangers must desperately secure a victory at Madison Square.
GAME DAY. pic.twitter.com/L4aYI84D9w
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 16, 2025
However, notwithstanding the nagging feeling of zero victories and goals on home ice so far into the season, captain Miller and forward Sam Carrick have previously expressed their faith in the team’s ability to turn this season in their favor.
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“We’re in a good place right now. We know that we’re playing well,” stated Carrick before adding that the team is a formidable opponent. “We’re a tough team to play against. Once they start going in, things are gonna turn around here”.
The team has already secured impressive road wins against the Buffalo Sabres and the Penguins. Will the Rangers be able to keep the same energy as they brace to tackle Auston Matthews and the rest?