A revitalizing January took the Rangers to the 50-game mark of their 2024-25 season, which was essentially hanging in the balance just a month ago. The way it ended, however, had shades of the dismal 4-15 stretch that nearly doomed their playoff hopes.

The #NYR have the distinction of allowing the first post-trade point to everyone in the Mikko Rantanen blockbuster. Rantanen and Taylor Hall each have assists tonight, their first points as Hurricanes. Jack Drury scored against NY on Sunday, and Martin Nečas had two assists.

The Colorado Avalanche (29-20-2) close out their three-game road trip against the New York Islanders (21-20-7) on Tuesday. Puck drop is scheduled for 5:38 p.m. MT. READ MORE: Did Mikko Rantanen Force Chris MacFarland’s Hand?

MacKinnon leads the NHL in points (77) and assists (58). Among NHL defensemen, Makar is first in goals (18), tied for first in points (56) and being for second in assists (38). Necas is seventh in the NHL in assists (41).

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NHL's Avalanche secures a last-minute victory, NFL's Eagles soar to the Super Bowl with star performances, and Italian tennis marvel Sinner clinches the Australian Open. Additionally, notable transfers and comebacks are underway across various leagues.

With a true blockbuster trade shaking the NHL, Week 16 of THW's Power Rankings adjusts to the big changes across the league.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar tallied two goals and an assist during their victory over the New York Rangers on Sunday afternoon. Makar would score his first goal of the game in the afternoon on a snap shot.

The Rangers fell to the Avalanche 5-4 with 15 seconds left in regulation, and the point that got away could be costly.

Makar scored again to give Colorado a 3-2 lead at 14:36 of the period with the Avs on the power play. Necas reversed the puck from the right side of the ice to the left, then MacKinnon set up Makar at the top of the zone for his 18th goal of the season.

Martin Necas had two assists, nearly scored twice himself and excelled on the top line. Jack Drury scored a goal and centered a new-look depth line while all 12 Avs forwards played more than 10 minutes, a departure from the usual top-heavy distribution.

Artturi Lehkonen scored the tiebreaking goal with 14.7 seconds left and Mackenzie Blackwood made 33 saves and the Colorado Avalanche defeated the New York Rangers 5-4.