Marc Staal
FILE - In this March 5, 2020, file photo, New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin and center Mika Zibanejad (93) celebrate after Zibanejad scored in overtime of the team's NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals in New York. The Carolina Hurricanes are determined to make a second straight deep run in the Stanley Cup playoffs. That can only happen if they do something they have rarely done over the past decade: defeat the Rangers. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)
Rangers look to build on last season's improved play

By Vin A. Cherwoo Jan. 05, 2021 12:04 PM EST

FILE - In this Jan. 1, 2020, file photo, Canada's Alexis Lafreniere shoots during the team's practice at the World Junior Hockey Championships in Ostrava, Czech Republic. The New York Rangers might be on the clock in owning the No. 1 pick in the NHL draft on Tuesday, Oct. 6. That, and the prospect of selecting Quebec star forward Alexis Lafreniere, doesn't mean the still-retooling Rangers will be anywhere closer to being a contender, team president John Davidson cautions. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
Rangers have work to do despite having top pick in NHL draft

By John Wawrow Oct. 04, 2020 02:01 PM EDT