For the second straight spring, the New York Rangers' playoff hopes have been extinguished before the real battle begins. Finishing last in the Eastern Conference with a 34-39-9 record (77 points)—a staggering 21 points out of a playoff spot—the Blueshirts are left with a long offseason checklist. But that doesn't mean Rangers fans are without a stake in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The connection lies in a familiar face: Artemi Panarin. Traded to the Los Angeles Kings, Panarin's new team carries significant weight for the Rangers' future. New York acquired conditional draft picks in that deal, and the deeper the Kings go, the better those picks become. A first-round upset would upgrade a 2026 third-rounder to a second-round pick, and a run to the Western Conference Final would add a 2028 fourth-round selection. So, while it's couch-watching season on Broadway, there's a clear bandwagon to jump on out West.

Panarin isn't the only link for Blueshirts faithful. A total of 16 former Rangers are scattered across 10 different playoff teams, and four head coaches with ties to the organization are behind benches. From the fiery John Tortorella to the skilled Martin St. Louis, there are plenty of storylines to follow.

The Kings, however, face a monumental task. As the lowest seed in the West, they draw the Presidents' Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche in the first round. While history shows four consecutive first-round exits for LA, Panarin has provided a spark since his arrival, leading the team with 27 points in 26 games. For Rangers fans, rooting for a Kings miracle isn't just about nostalgia—it's an investment in the future of the franchise. The playoff drama just took on a whole new shade of blue.