The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team in New York City. They compete in the NHL's Metropolitan Division (Eastern Conference) and share Madison Square Garden with the NBA's New York Knicks. They are one of three NHL teams in the New York metropolitan area, along with the New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders.
1942: Bryan Hextall's scoring title
Bryan Hextall was the last Ranger to lead the NHL in scoring before Jean Ratelle's near-achievement in 1972.
1943: Ken McAuley's record-setting season
New York Rangers goaltender Ken McAuley led the league with 39 losses and 310 goals allowed in 50 games, resulting in a 6.24 goals-against average, the worst in NHL history for a goaltender playing at least 25 games in a season.
1947: Rangers end playoff drought
After a five-season absence, the New York Rangers secured the fourth and final playoff spot, marking their return to the postseason.
1948: First-round exit and another missed postseason
The New York Rangers lost in the first round of the playoffs and failed to qualify for the postseason the following year.
1950: Stanley Cup Finals displacement and overtime defeat
The New York Rangers played all of their Stanley Cup Finals games, including "home" games, in Toronto due to the circus being held at Madison Square Garden. They ultimately lost to the Detroit Red Wings in overtime in the seventh game of the finals.
1966: Playoff return and notable additions
The New York Rangers ended a five-year playoff drought with the help of rookie goaltender Eddie Giacomin and the return of 37-year-old former Montreal Canadiens star Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion.
1967: Expansion teams join the NHL
The NHL expanded with new franchises, including the Philadelphia Flyers, who would later defeat the Rangers in a historic playoff series.
1968: Move to the new Madison Square Garden
The Rangers moved into the fourth version of Madison Square Garden, marking a new era for the franchise.
1972: Walt Tkaczuk's key role in playoff run
With key players like Ratelle and Gilbert injured, Walt Tkaczuk played a crucial role in the Rangers' playoff run, notably holding Bruins star Phil Esposito scoreless in the Stanley Cup Finals, which the Rangers lost.
1972: New York Islanders enter the NHL
The New York Islanders joined the league, creating a rivalry with the Rangers that would continue for years.
1972: Stanley Cup Finals loss to the Bruins
The Rangers lost to the Boston Bruins in six games in the Stanley Cup Finals.
1972: Stanley Cup Finals run despite injuries
Despite losing center Jean Ratelle to injury during the regular season, the Rangers reached the Stanley Cup Finals with strong performances from players like Brad Park, Jean Ratelle, Vic Hadfield, and Rod Gilbert, known as the "GAG line." They defeated the defending champion Canadiens and the Chicago Black Hawks in earlier rounds but lost to the Bruins in the finals.
1973: Loss to Flyers in 1973-74 playoffs
The Rangers lost a legendary seven-game conference semi-final series against the Philadelphia Flyers, becoming the first Original Six club to lose a playoff series to a 1967 expansion team. The series was marked by a Game 7 fight between Dale Rolfe of the Rangers and Dave Schultz of the Flyers.
1975: Trade with the Boston Bruins
The Rangers acquired Phil Esposito and Carol Vadnais from the Bruins in exchange for Brad Park, Jean Ratelle, and Joe Zanussi.
1975: First-round loss to the Islanders
The Rangers faced their new rivals, the Islanders, in the first round of the playoffs and lost in overtime of Game 3, furthering their growing rivalry.
1978: Arrival of Swedish stars
Swedish stars Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson joined the Rangers from the World Hockey Association (WHA).
1979: Playoff run and Stanley Cup Finals loss
The Rangers defeated the New York Islanders in the conference semi-finals but lost to the Canadiens in the Stanley Cup Finals.
1979: Stanley Cup Finals loss to the Canadiens
The Rangers lost to the Montreal Canadiens in five games in the Stanley Cup Finals.
1982: Playoff elimination by the Islanders
The Rangers were eliminated by the Islanders in the playoffs, marking the start of three consecutive years of playoff defeats against their rivals.
1984: Final playoff elimination by the Islanders
The Rangers were once again eliminated from the playoffs by the Islanders, who went on to win the Stanley Cup. This marked the end of a three-year stretch of playoff defeats against their rivals.
1986: Playoff run and conference finals defeat
Led by rookie goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck, the Rangers defeated the Philadelphia Flyers and the Washington Capitals in the playoffs but were eliminated by the Montreal Canadiens in the Wales Conference finals.
1988: Marcel Dionne's milestone and retirement
Marcel Dionne, acquired by the Rangers in 1986, reached third place in NHL career goals scored but retired during the 1988-89 season after a brief stint in the minors.
1991: Presidents' Trophy win and playoff disappointment
The Rangers won the Presidents' Trophy but lost to the defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins in the playoffs after leading the series 2-1.
1997: Rangers Reach Eastern Conference Final
The New York Rangers reached the Eastern Conference Final for the first time since 1997 after defeating the Washington Capitals in the second round of the playoffs.
2007: Rangers Lose Game 7 at Home for the First Time
The Tampa Bay Lightning shut out the Rangers in Game 7, marking the first time the Rangers lost a Game 7 at home and the first time they lost an elimination game at home since 2007 against Buffalo.
2011: Rangers Top Eastern Conference
The New York Rangers finished the 2011-12 season as the top seed in the Eastern Conference, achieving 51 wins and 109 points.
July 23, 2012: Rangers Trade for Rick Nash
The New York Rangers traded Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov, Tim Erixon, and a 2013 first-round draft pick to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Rick Nash, Steven Delisle, and a conditional third-round pick in 2013.
2012: Rangers Reach Stanley Cup Finals
The New York Rangers reached the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in 20 years after defeating the Montreal Canadiens. They faced the 2012 champions, the Los Angeles Kings, but lost the series.
June 21, 2013: Alain Vigneault Becomes Head Coach
Following their elimination from the playoffs, the Rangers fired head coach John Tortorella. Glen Sather, the general manager, introduced Alain Vigneault as the new head coach.
2013: Rangers Set Franchise Record for Road Wins
The Rangers set a new franchise record with 25 road game wins during the 2013-14 season.
March 5, 2014: Rangers Acquire Martin St. Louis in Trade
The Rangers traded their captain, Ryan Callahan, and draft picks to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for captain Martin St. Louis. This trade occurred due to contract extension difficulties with Callahan and St. Louis's desire to play for New York.
June 20, 2014: Rangers Buy Out Brad Richards' Contract
The Rangers bought out the remaining six years of Brad Richards' contract to free up salary cap space.
2014: Rangers Trade Marian Gaborik
At the 2013 NHL trade deadline, the Rangers traded Marian Gaborik and Steven Delisle to Columbus for Derick Brassard, Derek Dorsett, John Moore, and a 2014 sixth-round draft pick.
June 27, 2015: Rangers Make Multiple Trades and Management Changes
The Rangers traded Carl Hagelin to Anaheim, Cam Talbot to Edmonton, and Ryan Haggerty to Chicago. They acquired Antti Raanta as Lundqvist's backup. Glen Sather stepped down as general manager, and Jeff Gorton replaced him. Martin St. Louis retired.
2015: Rangers Trade Draft Picks for Martin St. Louis
As part of the trade for Martin St. Louis, the Rangers included a first-round draft pick in 2015, a conditional second-round pick in 2014, and a conditional seventh-round pick in 2015.
2015: Rangers Win Presidents' Trophy and Set Franchise Records
The Rangers won the Presidents' Trophy for the third time and set franchise records with 53 wins and 113 points.