The vibe around Madison Square Garden right now is, honestly, a little tense. If you’ve been following the new york rangers schedule lately, you know exactly why. After a 2024-25 season that most fans would rather delete from their memory entirely—missing the playoffs just one year after winning the Presidents' Trophy—the pressure on this 2025-26 squad is massive. We’re deep into January 2026, and while the road record has been weirdly good, the home-ice advantage at MSG has felt… well, not like much of an advantage at all.
Look at the standings. It’s ugly. The Rangers are sitting at 20-22-6. That’s 46 points through 48 games. They are currently 8th in the Metropolitan Division, which sounds worse than it is because the points gap isn't a total mountain yet, but the clock is ticking. Mike Sullivan, who took over the bench this season, is trying to implement a system that clearly favors a "younger, hungrier" style, but the consistency just isn't there yet.
The Brutal January Road Trip and the MSG Return
The team just wrapped up a soul-crushing stretch. Losing 10-2 to the Bruins on January 10th? That hurt. It wasn't just a loss; it was a "turn off the TV and go for a walk" kind of game. But the new york rangers schedule doesn't care about your feelings. They had to immediately pivot to a West Coast swing.
Right now, the team is bouncing between California and the Tri-state area.
- January 17: They hit Philadelphia for a matinee at 1:00 PM. Rivalry games against the Flyers are never "easy," even when Philly is struggling.
- January 19: A late-night start (10:00 PM ET) in Anaheim.
- January 20: Back-to-back action against the Kings in LA.
- January 23: Finishing the swing in San Jose.
If they don't come back from this trip with at least six points, the conversation is going to shift very quickly from "playoff push" to "lottery odds." Honestly, the way Igor Shesterkin has been playing—boasting a 2.45 GAA despite the team's record—is the only reason they're even in these games. He’s basically the only thing standing between the Rangers and a total collapse.
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Why the End of January Matters So Much
Once they get back from the West Coast, the schedule gets "local" but incredibly difficult. On January 26, the Bruins come to the Garden. This is the rematch fans have been circling since that 10-goal blowout. Then, it's the Battle of New York. They play the Islanders at UBS Arena on January 28th and then host them back at MSG on the 29th.
Two games against your biggest rival in 48 hours. That’s where seasons are made or broken.
Looking Ahead: The February and March Gauntlet
February is a bit sparse because of the league's schedule structure this year, but the games that are there are heavyweights. You've got the Carolina Hurricanes coming to town on February 5th. Carolina is currently leading the Metro, and they play a puck-possession game that has historically given Sullivan’s systems a lot of trouble.
Then, March hits like a freight train.
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March is basically "Rivalry Month." You have two games against the Flyers (March 9 and 26), a trip to Newark to face the Devils on March 7th, and a home-and-home situation with Columbus. Most people get wrong the idea that the "soft" part of the new york rangers schedule is against teams like the Blue Jackets. Honestly, those are the trap games. Last month, the Rangers dropped a game to a struggling Senators team (8-4!) that they should have easily handled.
The Home Ice "Problem"
One of the weirdest stats of the 2025-26 season is the home vs. road split.
- Home Record: 5-13-4
- Road Record: 15-9-2
It’s bizarre. Usually, teams thrive on the energy of the Garden. This year, they seem to play tight at home. Maybe it’s the ghost of last season’s failure, or maybe the fans are just quicker to boo when things go south. Either way, for the Rangers to jump from 46 points into the mid-90s—which is likely where the wild card cutoff will be—they have to start winning at home. Period.
Key Matchups to Circle on Your Calendar
If you’re planning on buying tickets or just clearing your evening to watch, these are the high-leverage games left on the new york rangers schedule:
The "Redemption" Game: vs. Boston (Jan 26)
You cannot lose by eight goals to a conference rival and not come out hitting in the rematch. Expect Matt Rempe to be very active in this one if he's in the lineup.
The Metropolitan Showdown: vs. Carolina (Feb 5)
If the Rangers want to prove they belong in the playoffs, they have to beat the best in their division. Carolina is the benchmark.
The Hudson River Derby: @ New Jersey (March 7)
The Devils are currently ahead of the Rangers in the standings. This is a classic "four-point game."
The Final Push: @ Florida (April 13)
The season ends with a brutal Florida trip. If the Rangers haven't secured a spot by the time they fly to Sunrise to play the Panthers, it’s probably over. Florida is a juggernaut right now.
What Needs to Change?
The roster looks good on paper. J.T. Miller (the new Captain) and Mika Zibanejad are producing, but the depth scoring has been non-existent. We’re seeing a lot of minutes for guys like Noah Laba and Will Cuylle, which is great for the future, but they need to produce now.
Adam Fox is still the engine on the blue line, but he’s playing nearly 26 minutes a night. That’s not sustainable. The new york rangers schedule in March is compressed, with a lot of 3-games-in-4-nights stretches. If they don't find a way to balance the ice time, Fox is going to be gassed by the time April rolls around.
Actionable Strategy for the Rest of the Season
If you’re a fan or an analyst looking at how they climb out of this hole, here is the blueprint.
First, fix the power play. It’s hovering around 22%, which isn't bad, but it’s not the elite weapon it was two years ago. Second, Sullivan has to commit to a goalie rotation. Shesterkin is the man, but he can't start 70 games. Jonathan Quick has been serviceable, but the defense in front of him has been porous.
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Lastly, they need to target the "low-hanging fruit." The games against Columbus, Chicago, and Montreal in late March are the points they must bank. You can't rely on beating Tampa Bay or Florida in the final week of the season to get in.
Keep an eye on the trade deadline in early March. Chris Drury has been quiet, but with the team on the bubble, he might be forced to move some future assets to bring in a veteran winger who can actually finish a play. If they stay stagnant, the new york rangers schedule will simply outrun them.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the official MSG site for any late-season time changes; the NHL loves to flex weekend games to national TV.
- Watch the waiver wire; the Rangers have about $2.1M in cap space to play with for a depth move.
- Monitor Adam Fox’s health; any missed time from him makes the remaining schedule almost impossible to navigate.