New York Rangers head into the 2026/27 National Hockey League (NHL) season with one primary aim – returning to the play-offs for the first time in three years.
Two-time Stanley Cup winning head coach Mike Sullivan failed to improve the team’s fortunes in his fist season in charge, but has been tipped to fare much better this term.
NHL 2026/27: Stanley Cup betting
Online bookmakers rate the Rangers as 33/1 shots to win the Stanley Cup. Given they have failed to lift the trophy since 1994, punters are unlikely to be clamouring to wager on them.
However, a strong case can be made for suggesting that bettors should use the polymarket promo code to bet on the Rangers progressing to the play-offs this season.
Odds of 21/10 to reach the post-season shoot-out make plenty of appeal, especially with the Metropolitan Division looking wide open. The latest Stanley Cup odds are as follows:
- Florida Panthers – 13/2
- Colorado Avalanche – 7/1
- Carolina Hurricanes – 7/1
- Edmonton Oilers – 8/1
- Tampa Bay Lightning – 11/1
- Vegas Golden Knights – 11/1
- Minnesota Wild – 14/1
- Dallas Stars – 16/1
- Montreal Canadiens – 18/1
- Ottawa Senators – 20/1
- Washington Capitals – 20/1
- Buffalo Sabres – 22/1
- Anaheim Ducks – 25/1
- New Jersey Devils – 25/1
- Utah Mammoth – 25/1
- Columbus Blue Jackets – 28/1
- Los Angeles Kings – 28/1
- New York Rangers – 33/1
- Toronto Maple Leafs – 33/1
- San Jose Sharks – 40/1
- Detroit Red Wings – 50/1
- Nashville Predators – 50/1
- New York Islanders – 50/1
- Philadelphia Flyers – 50/1
- Pittsburgh Penguins – 50/1
- Winnipeg Jets – 50/1
- Boston Bruins – 80/1
- Chicago Blackhawks – 100/1
- St Louis Blues – 100/1
- Calgary Flames – 200/1
- Seattle Kraken – 250/1
- Vancouver Canucks – 400/1
NHL 2026/27: Rangers first ten fixtures
- Tuesday, September 29: Boston Bruins (A)
- Thursday, October 1: Tampa Bay Lightning (H)
- Friday, October 2: Detroit Red Wings (A)
- Sunday, October 4: Utah Mammoth (H)
- Tuesday, October 6: New York Islanders (H)
- Friday, October 9: Washington Capitals (A)
- Sunday, October 11: Vancouver Canucks (H)
- Tuesday, October 13: Tampa Bay Lightning (H)
- Thursday, October 15: New Jersey Devils (A)
- Saturday, October 17: Columbus Blue Jackets (A)
NHL 2026/27: Rangers on a recovery mission under Sullivan
Sullivan claimed he was excited to tackle a new challenge when he was appointed by the Rangers, but he may have underestimated the size of the task he faced.
His team posted a 34-39-9 record to finish bottom of the Metropolitan Division. However, the club’s bosses have not panicked during the close season.
General manager Chris Drury has refused to embark on a full rebuild of the squad by adopting a strategy of evolution rather than revolution.
He has brought in Pavel Dorofeyev, Marcus Pettersson and Sean Durzi in exchange for three first-round picks, adding quality to a squad which still has plenty to prove.
That point undoubtedly applies to winger Alexis Lafreniere, who has yet to demonstrate why the Rangers made him the number one draft pick in 2020.
The 24-year-old has only crossed the 50-point threshold twice in six years, and desperately needs to prove he can shine consistently without Artemi Panarin supplying him.
Lafreniere stepped things up after Panarin was traded to the Los Angeles Kings last season and now has the chance to truly make his mark with the Rangers.
The additions of Petterson and Durzi boosts a defensive unit that was far too reliant on first-line pairing Adam Fox and Vladislav Gavrikov last season.
With star netminder Igor Shesterkin operating behind an improved defence, the Rangers should be capable of climbing up the standings this term.
Bills overcome sloppy five-turnover game, defeat Chargers to start season 3-0 (full coverage) Winning the Stanley Cup will likely be too much to ask, but securing a place in the play-offs is an achievable aim if their top players stay healthy.

