Rangers, Maple Leafs examples of ‘how quickly things can unravel’ in NHL

The Rangers (28-34-9) are last in the East, and own the second-worst record in the League behind only the woeful Vancouver Canucks (21-41-8). The Maple Leafs (30-29-13) are tied for second to last in the East and 23rd overall in the NHL. So, their clash — or crash, if you prefer — on Wednesday is more about ping-pong balls and the draft lottery than prepping for a run at Lord Stanley’s chalice.

“It’s interesting with the Rangers, if you think about where they were just a couple short years ago in a conference final (2024) to where they’re at now, it just shows you, and the Leafs are another prime example, how quickly things can unravel,” long-time NHL talk show host Nick Alberga told Forever Blueshirts on the Rink Rap podcast. Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images Interestingly, Alberga’s more surprised about the Rangers failure to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season. Remember, the Rangers already face-planted in 2024-25, becoming the fourth team in NHL history to miss the postseason one year after winning the Presidents’ Trophy for having the best regular-season record in the League.

And even though the Maple Leafs moved leading scorer Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights last offseason and lost captain Auston Matthews to a knee injury last week, they made the playoffs nine straight seasons before this one. “I had the Rangers doing something significant this year. Not just making the playoffs, but maybe winning the Stanley Cup,” Alberga stated.

“I thought (new coach) Mike Sullivan was the answer to everything for that franchise. Yet, here we are, it’s late in March, they’re contending for a lottery pick and there’s a lot of dysfunction, similar to the Toronto Maple Leafs. “I for one am very, very stunned that they’re in this predicament right now.