Zibanejad: ''We have to make the playoffs''

The last time the New York Rangers made it to the playoffs (not counting 2020's qualifying round) was in 2017 when they beat the Montreal Canadiens in round one, before falling to the Ottawa Senators in the second round.

Now that the Rangers rebuild is over, as the team says, forward Mika Zibanejad believes that this team can make the playoffs.

"We have to make the playoffs," Zibanejad said. "We have the team to do it."

Head coach Gerard Gallant added, "We're like any other team," "We expect to make the playoffs. That's what our goal is, but you just don't say it. Talk is cheap. You've got to get ready to work hard and play hard."

The Rangers were one of the busier teams in the off-season. Just before their 2020-21 campaign ended, they promoted former captain Chris Drury to President and General Manager. About a week later, they announced that head coach David Quinn and his entire staff were fired after the team finished eleven points out of a playoff spot.

A month after the firing of David Quinn, the Rangers hired former Vegas Golden Knights head coach Gerard Gallant, and in August they hired Gord Murphy, Mike Kelly, and Jim Midgley as assistant coaches.

In terms of on-ice additions, the Rangers got bigger and added some grit after acquiring Barclay Goodrow from Tampa Bay, Samuel Blais from St. Louis, and Ryan Reaves from Vegas. All three of whom will help create a new identity for the Rangers going forward.

The Rangers will open the 2021-22 season on October 13th when they take on the Washington Capitals.

Source: NHL.com

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