3 Rangers 2023 Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions

Choosing a winner in this series is difficult due to the Devils’ success against the Rangers during the regular season. Jack Hughes contributed at least one point in all four contests versus New York this year; he had four goals and two assists. New Jersey’s best chance to win is to have the lead in games as often as possible and to keep their penalties to a minimum.

Following the additions of Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane, the Rangers have two more experienced forwards at five-on-five and on their power play. New York can win the first-round series if they can neutralize the Devils’ speedy forwards and score multiple goals over short spans of time. This series is anticipated to be one of the most exciting due to the matchup of a rivalry that has existed for 40 years.

Mika Zibanejad led the Rangers last postseason with 24 points in 20 games and was their best player during last year’s playoffs. The only two players who were as crucial to the organization’s success during the 2022 Playoffs were Adam Fox and Shesterkin. Zibanejad ended the regular season with points in eight of his final ten games, which included two goals and ten assists. The 29-year-old forward received the team MVP award as voted by members of the media who cover the franchise.

Among players who have played the majority of games with the Rangers this year, Zibanejad ranked second among skaters with a 78.43% individual point percentage (IPP) at five-on-five, per Natural Stat Trick. He finished second with a 13.45 score in individual expected goals created (ixG) and first with 175 shot attempts (iCF) on the power play. There was no one better on the man advantage as he led them with 20 goals and 39 points, and finished third with 19 assists.

Zibanejad has fulfilled his potential with the Rangers as he has gotten better each year based on his point production. He tied a career-high with 52 assists and set a new high with 91 points. If New York is going to go on another substantial run this postseason, he needs to be a key contributor to their success. If they win the Stanley Cup, I think he will win the Conn Smythe Trophy.

The ‘Kid Line’ Will Shine During One Series of the 2023 Playoffs

Filip Chytil broke out with seven goals in 20 games during the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He followed that stretch with his best regular season which included 22 goals and 23 assists in 74 contests. He was due to be a restricted free agent (RFA) following this year but the Rangers signed him to a four-year, $17.75 million contract extension on March 29.

Alexis Lafreniere, who had seven assists in 20 postseason contests last year, and Kaapo Kakko continue to progress in the NHL. Kakko played in all of the regular season contests for the first time in his four-year career while Lafreniere also continued to demonstrate his durability during his third season. The Saint-Eustache, Quebec, native will be motivated to have a strong postseason as the RFA will be looking for a contract extension during the offseason. All three members of the ‘Kid Line’ are streaky in their point production but the trio has the capability to be a difference-maker during at least one playoff series.

If they prove to play a significant part in the club winning multiple playoff series, the fanbase should feel confident in their potential to have bigger roles for the franchise in 2023-24. All three are former first-round draft selections with Kakko and Lafreniere being lottery picks in back-to-back NHL Drafts. Their overall progressions during the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs would give the organization further confidence they made the right choices in selecting them.

The Rangers have a challenging road ahead in making a second consecutive deep run in the postseason. The Devils’ regular season success against New York presents trepidation that they could spoil their chances of reaching the Stanley Cup Final in Gallant’s second year as head coach. If the Rangers make the Eastern Conference Final, a team like the Boston Bruins, who had one of the most successful regular seasons of any club in NHL history, could oppose them and would be the clear favorite to win the series. Winning the Eastern Conference, let alone a championship will be difficult for New York, but that is to be expected with 16 teams having the same goal.