Rangers against Avalanche: Postgame Notes
The matchup between the New York Rangers and the Colorado Avalanche on January 13, 2025, was a highly anticipated game, featuring two of the most talented teams in the NHL. Both teams are playoff contenders, with the Rangers looking to solidify their position in the Eastern Conference while the Avalanche continue to chase dominance in the Western Conference. The game provided plenty of drama, excitement, and key moments that will be remembered as the season progresses.
In this postgame analysis, we will break down the major storylines, key performances, tactical elements, and what this game means for both teams moving forward.
Final Score Overview
At the end of a thrilling 60 minutes, the Colorado Avalanche emerged victorious with a 4-2 win over the New York Rangers at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche were the stronger team in several key areas, particularly in special teams and defensive stability, while the Rangers struggled to capitalize on their offensive opportunities.
The win for Colorado was a crucial one as it allowed them to continue their push up the standings in the Western Conference. The Rangers, on the other hand, will look back at this loss with disappointment, knowing they let a winnable game slip away in the final minutes.
Key Takeaways from the Game
1. Avalanche’s Special Teams Shine
The Colorado Avalanche have been known for their offensive prowess, and they certainly didn’t disappoint in this game. However, it was their special teams—particularly the power play—that played a pivotal role in the win. Colorado went 2-for-3 on the power play, capitalizing on key opportunities when the Rangers were undisciplined.
On the first power play, Nathan MacKinnon found Mikko Rantanen with a perfect cross-ice pass that the Finnish forward buried past Rangers’ goalie Igor Shesterkin. The second power play goal came in the third period, with Cale Makar unleashing a blistering one-timer from the blue line that beat Shesterkin cleanly.
The ability to convert on the power play was crucial for Colorado, as they were able to take the lead and never relinquish it. The Rangers’ penalty kill, on the other hand, struggled at times. They allowed several dangerous chances during the two power plays and were unable to get the necessary clearances to prevent high-quality shots.
Special teams have been a bit of a rollercoaster for Colorado at times this season, but this game was a reminder of how dangerous they can be when clicking. The Avalanche capitalized on their opportunities, which was ultimately the difference-maker in the contest.
Key Stat to Watch: Power Play Efficiency
Colorado went 2-for-3 on the power play, a mark the Rangers simply couldn’t match. In contrast, the Rangers were unable to capitalize on their own power-play opportunities, going 0-for-4, which ultimately kept them from closing the gap in the final period.
2. MacKinnon and Rantanen Lead the Charge
The Avalanche offense is powered by the dynamic duo of Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, and they lived up to their billing in this game. Both players were integral to the outcome, combining for six points.
MacKinnon was his usual explosive self, contributing a goal and two assists. His speed and playmaking ability were on full display, particularly in the neutral zone where he was able to create several rushes for his teammates. His first-period goal came off a beautiful individual effort, where he split the defense and then buried the puck with his signature quick release.
Rantanen, on the other hand, was his steady self, contributing two goals—one on the power play and another in an empty-net situation to seal the win. His ability to find open space and be in the right position at the right time was crucial. The chemistry between MacKinnon and Rantanen continues to be one of the best in the league, and that chemistry played a key role in the Avalanche’s ability to score multiple goals in this game.
The Rangers struggled to contain both players, with Shesterkin being forced into some acrobatic saves to keep the game within reach. While he was certainly not to blame for the loss, the pressure from MacKinnon and Rantanen’s consistent offensive presence created too many high-danger chances for the Rangers to handle.
Key Stat to Watch: The MacKinnon-Rantanen Connection
MacKinnon and Rantanen combined for 3 goals and 3 assists, proving that the Avalanche’s top line continues to be one of the most potent in the league. The Rangers simply had no answer for them, and the Avalanche relied heavily on their superstar tandem to make the difference.
3. Rangers’ Offensive Inconsistency
While the Rangers have been one of the top teams in the league this season, they’ve struggled at times to maintain offensive consistency. This game was a prime example of that, as they failed to generate the necessary offense in key moments. Despite strong individual performances from players like Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad, the Rangers couldn’t capitalize on several golden opportunities.
Zibanejad did get on the scoresheet, registering a power-play goal in the second period to tie the game at 1-1. However, despite multiple chances, the Rangers couldn’t break through for the equalizer after that. Their power play, which has been one of their strengths this season, failed to produce in the crucial moments. The inability to take advantage of key power plays, combined with missed opportunities in the offensive zone, ultimately doomed them.
One issue the Rangers faced was the shutdown defense of Josh Manson and Samuel Girard on Colorado’s blue line. Both players were effective in limiting high-quality chances in front of **Avalanche goalie Darcy Kuemper, who had a strong performance in net. The Rangers were often forced to settle for perimeter shots or low-quality chances due to Colorado’s tight defensive zone coverage.
In particular, the absence of Chris Kreider, who was out due to injury, was felt in this game. Kreider’s physical presence in front of the net and his ability to finish around the crease could have been the difference in several of those scoring chances. Without Kreider’s contributions, the Rangers struggled to generate the same level of pressure in front of the net, which ultimately allowed Colorado’s defense to stand strong.
Key Stat to Watch: Rangers’ Shooting Efficiency
Despite registering a solid 33 shots on goal, the Rangers only managed to score two goals, one of which came on the power play. Their inability to generate consistent offensive pressure in five-on-five situations was a major factor in the loss. The Rangers must find ways to improve their shooting efficiency and convert more chances into goals, especially when they have the momentum.
4. Shesterkin’s Strong Performance Despite the Loss
Although the Rangers were unable to come out on top in this game, Igor Shesterkin had another solid outing, making 33 saves on 37 shots. The Russian netminder was kept busy all night, facing a constant barrage of shots from the Avalanche’s offensive stars. He made several key saves, including a sprawling stop on Cale Makar in the second period that kept the Rangers in the game.
However, despite his strong performance, Shesterkin couldn’t keep up with Colorado’s scoring chances in the final period. With the game tied at 2-2 entering the third, the Avalanche’s ability to capitalize on the power play and the empty-net goal in the closing minutes sealed Shesterkin’s fate.
Shesterkin’s play is one of the few bright spots for the Rangers in this loss. He gave his team every chance to win with his timely saves and consistent presence between the pipes. With Shesterkin in net, the Rangers are always in the game, but on this night, Colorado’s firepower proved to be too much.
Key Stat to Watch: Shesterkin’s Save Percentage
Shesterkin finished with a save percentage of .892 in this game. While not a poor performance by any means, it reflects the quality of the chances Colorado was generating. Against a team like the Avalanche, Shesterkin would need to be near perfect to secure a win, especially when the Rangers’ offensive struggles held them back.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
For the New York Rangers, this loss stings, especially given that they were within reach of at least forcing overtime. They’ll need to regroup quickly and focus on improving their offensive consistency. The Rangers’ power play needs to be more efficient, and they’ll have to find ways to generate higher-quality chances on even strength. With Chris Kreider expected to return soon, that should give their offense a much-needed boost.
As for the Colorado Avalanche, this win is an important one for their playoff aspirations. They have been battling for positioning in the highly competitive Western Conference, and a victory against a quality opponent like the Rangers will help build momentum. The Avalanche’s special teams are clicking, and as long as their top players like MacKinnon and Rantanen stay healthy, they will remain a dangerous team. The key for Colorado will be to stay consistent and continue to leverage their offensive depth and special teams.
.
