The New York Rangers are on their way to a second straight non-playoff season. They are 1-5-2 since the Christmas break and enter their game against the Ottawa Senators at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night last in the 16-team Eastern Conference.
The Blueshirts are struggling on several fronts. No. 1 goaltender Igor Shesterkin is injured. Their top defenseman, Adam Fox, is on long-term injured reserve for the second time this season. They can’t put the puck in the net (2.55 goals per game, 30th in the League), especially at home (5-12-4, including six shutout losses).