The New York Rangers, currently holding a 35-27-5 record, are locked in a fierce battle for an Eastern Conference playoff spot. Their season has been marked by flashes of dominance mixed with inconsistency, making each remaining game critical in determining their postseason fate. Hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs at Madison Square Garden on March 20, 2025, the Rangers will look to leverage their home-ice advantage to pick up a much-needed win. Against a high-scoring Toronto team, New York will need to tighten its defensive play, get strong goaltending from Igor Shesterkin, and capitalize on any opportunities with the man advantage. Offensively, the Rangers have been solid but not spectacular, averaging 3.1 goals per game, which ranks them in the middle of the league. Mika Zibanejad continues to be the team’s primary offensive force, leading the way with 75 points (30 goals, 45 assists). His ability to drive play and win faceoffs in critical moments will be essential against Toronto’s fast-paced transition game. Artemi Panarin remains one of the league’s elite playmakers, contributing 68 points, though he has gone through some scoring droughts this season. The Rangers will need him to be at his best, particularly in power-play situations, where he has been effective in setting up teammates. Chris Kreider, a net-front presence and veteran leader, has added 60 points, including a team-high 16 power-play goals, making him a key factor in special teams play. One of New York’s biggest concerns has been scoring depth, as the team has struggled to find consistent production from its bottom six. Alexis Lafrenière and Kaapo Kakko, two former high draft picks, have had moments of brilliance but have yet to fully break out as reliable offensive threats. Their ability to contribute secondary scoring will be a major factor in determining whether the Rangers can keep pace with Toronto’s high-powered offense. Defensively, the Rangers have been sturdy, allowing 2.9 goals per game, which ranks them in the top half of the NHL. Adam Fox, one of the best two-way defensemen in the league, anchors their blue line, providing elite puck-moving ability and strong defensive awareness. Fox has posted 58 points this season, making him a key contributor in both even-strength and power-play situations.

Alongside him, Jacob Trouba and K’Andre Miller provide a physical presence, but both have had lapses in defensive coverage that have led to costly goals. They will need to play a disciplined game against a Toronto squad that thrives on capitalizing on defensive breakdowns. Goaltending remains the Rangers’ biggest strength, as Igor Shesterkin continues to be one of the NHL’s elite netminders. Despite some inconsistency earlier in the season, he has settled in with a .920 save percentage and four shutouts, making him a major factor in New York’s playoff push. Against a Toronto offense that ranks in the top five in goals per game (3.4), Shesterkin will need to be on top of his game, especially in high-danger situations. If he can limit rebounds and control the pace, the Rangers will have a much better chance of shutting down Toronto’s elite scorers. Special teams will play a critical role in this game, as New York’s power play (18%) has struggled compared to other playoff contenders. Against a Toronto penalty kill that operates at 81%, the Rangers must find a way to generate more high-danger chances and improve their efficiency on the man advantage. Their penalty kill (82%) has been strong, but they must be extra cautious against a Maple Leafs’ power play that converts at an elite 25% rate. Staying disciplined and limiting unnecessary penalties will be crucial to keeping Toronto’s lethal top unit off the ice. From a betting perspective, the Rangers have been one of the most profitable teams at home against the spread, covering in 80% of their last ten games. However, they have struggled in recent meetings with Toronto, losing six of the last ten matchups. The total has gone under in 60% of their last ten meetings, suggesting this game could be a lower-scoring affair than expected. If the Rangers can establish a strong defensive structure, convert on special teams, and get a stellar performance from Shesterkin, they have a solid chance of securing a win. For New York to come out victorious, they will need Zibanejad, Panarin, and Kreider to lead the offensive charge while ensuring that their young forwards like Lafrenière and Kakko contribute secondary scoring. Their defense must stay disciplined, preventing Toronto’s top line from getting high-quality scoring chances, and Shesterkin needs to be in peak form to handle the high shot volume he is likely to face. If the Rangers can execute this game plan, they could pull off a statement win against one of the Eastern Conference’s top teams. However, if they allow Toronto to dictate the pace and struggle to generate scoring beyond their top line, they could be in for a tough night. This game will serve as a true test of whether the Rangers are ready to compete with the best as they make their final playoff push.