For all of the calamity and the disaster that greeted the New York Rangers at nearly every turn during the first half of the 2024-25 season, they somehow, almost unbelievably, are still very much in the thick of a playoff hunt.

The boxing-out issues continued against Utah. A minute into the game, Utah’s Ian Cole fired a point shot tipped by teammate Barrett Hayton. Igor Shesterkin made the initial stop, but Matias Maccelli got away from K’Andre Miller and buried the rebound.

At the end of the 2024-25 regular season, this three-game road trip could be a difference-maker for the Rangers.

SALT LAKE CITY -- The New York Rangers scored three goals in the third period to defeat the Utah Hockey Club 5-3 at Delta Center on Thursday. Artemi Panarin scored twice for the Rangers (21-20-3), who extended their point streak to six games (4-0-2). Igor Shesterkin made 28 saves.

Larry Brooks wrote that the Rangers should not be in the player acquisition mode to try and make a run. Instead, New York would be best served to deal UFAs to replenish the pick population they dealt to make two ECF runs.