Up 2-0 in their opening-round series, the New York Rangers find themselves in the same position they were in last year but are confident the result will be different this time around.
"New team identity," defenseman K'Andre Miller said when asked what's changed about this year's club, according to NHL.com's Dan Rosen.
New York stormed to a 2-0 lead in its first-round clash with the New Jersey Devils last spring before losing the next three contests and, ultimately, the series in seven games.
The collapse led to the club replacing head coach Gerard Gallant with Peter Laviolette.
The Rangers have an easier matchup on paper this year after winning the Presidents' Trophy, drawing the 91-point Washington Capitals in Round 1 after taking on the 112-point Devils in 2023.
Despite the advantageous situation, star blue-liner Adam Fox said New York knows not to take its opponent lightly as the series shifts to D.C. for Games 3 and 4.
"Definitely, you know you're not going to get anything easy," Fox said. "You win those two games last year, especially on the road, you think you can breathe easy coming home, but in playoffs, it's never like that. I think especially, now going on the road, we know we're stepping into a tough environment, and we'll be ready for that. I don't think we're expecting anything to come easy, especially on the road, especially with a desperate team over there."
The Rangers cruised to a 4-1 victory at Madison Square Garden in Game 1 and squeaked out a 4-3 win in Game 2. The series resumes Friday night.
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