New York Rangers carry championship aspirations into second year under Peter Laviolette

New York Rangers

Last season: 55-23-4, lost to Florida in six games in Eastern Conference final.

COACH: Peter Laviolette (807-526-25-154 over 22 seasons with six teams, 1 Stanley Cup title).

SEASON OPENER: Oct. 9 at Pittsburgh.

DEPARTURES: F Jack Roslovic, F Barclay Goodrow, D Erik Gustafsson.

ADDITIONS: F Reilly Smith, F Sam Carrick.

GOALIES: Igor Shesterkin (36-17-2, 2.58 goals-against average, 0.913 save percentage), Jonathan Quick (18-6-2, 2.62, 0.911).

BetMGM STANLEY CUP ODDS: 13-1.

What to expect

A team with championship aspirations won the Presidents' Trophy in Laviolette's first season and reached the conference finals for the second time in three years. The focus now is on getting over the hump and returning to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2014, and this could be the last try for a veteran core group that is vying for the franchise's first title since 1994. The Rangers were the top home team and among the best on the road, and will be looking to replicate that success.

Strengths and weaknesses

The good: Shesterkin gives the Rangers a strong chance to win most nights. The 28-year-old Russian has finished with at least 36 wins in three straight years, and has totaled 13 shutouts to go with a 2.39 GAA and 0.921 save-percentage in the stretch. The Rangers were seventh in scoring at 3.39 goals per game, led by Artemi Panarin’s MVP-caliber season They had five players topping 70 points — tied with for most in the NHL — and Alexis Lafreniere had a breakout season while skating on a line with Panarin and Vincent Trocheck. The Rangers finished third in the league on both the power play (26.4%) and penalty-kill (84.5%). They also led the league in comeback wins (28) and were tied for the most third-period comebacks (14).

The not-so-good: The top two lines account for the bulk of the scoring, and when they struggle the team has a hard time producing. Always looking for the perfect extra pass, the Rangers find it hard to generate chances when the lanes are clogged. Taking more shots on net to create opportunities has been emphasized, and the Rangers have averaged 31.5 shots per game in each of the last two seasons, their highest since also averaging that many in 2014-15.

Players to watch

Filip Chytil will be looking to bounce back after being limited to 10 games last season due to a concussion after finishing with a career-high 45 points the previous year. Fellow forward Kaapo Kakko will also be on the spot after totaling 19 points in 61 games last year while missing seven weeks with a lower-body injury after career-bests of 18 goals and 22 assists the previous season. Chytil and Kakko will likely skate with Will Cuylle on the Rangers' third line.

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The Associated Press