Editing New York Rangers (section)

====Return to the Finals and third Presidents' Trophy (2011–2016)====
In the [[2011–12 NHL season|2011–12 season]], the team finished as the top seed in the Eastern Conference, recording 51 wins and 109 points. Their leading scorer was Marian Gaborik, who finished the season with 41 goals and 76 points while playing all 82 games. In the first round of the playoffs, the Rangers faced the eighth-seeded Ottawa Senators. After falling behind 3–2 in the series, the Rangers bounced back to win game 6 in [[Ottawa]] as well as game 7 at home. In the next round, the Rangers once again faced the Capitals. In game 3, Gaborik scored to win 14:41 into the third overtime, giving the Rangers a 2–1 lead in the series, but Washington came back to tie the series 2–2 in game 4. Washington was up by one during the final minutes of game 5 when [[Joel Ward (ice hockey)|Joel Ward]] committed a high-sticking double-minor. Richards scored to tie with just 6.6 seconds remaining, and in overtime, defenseman Marc Staal scored on the second penalty of the double-minor just 1:35 into overtime. Rangers went on to win the series 4–3, sending them to the conference finals for the first time since 1997. In the conference finals, they faced the New Jersey Devils, a major divisional rival. After leading the series 2–1, the Rangers lost three games in a row, losing game 6 in New Jersey with a goal by Devils forward [[Adam Henrique]] at 1:03 in overtime, giving the Devils a 4–2 series win and ending the Rangers' season.

On July 23, 2012, the Rangers traded [[Brandon Dubinsky]], [[Artem Anisimov]], [[Tim Erixon]] and a [[2013 NHL entry draft|2013]] first-round draft pick to the [[Columbus Blue Jackets]] in exchange for [[Rick Nash]], [[Steven Delisle]], and a 2013 conditional third-round pick.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nash traded to Rangers in five-player deal |first=Dave |last=Lozo |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=638429 |website=National Hockey League |date=July 23, 2012 |access-date=March 9, 2015 |archive-date=July 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724041655/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=638429 |url-status=live}}</ref> At the 2013 [[NHL trade deadline]] on April 3, the Rangers then traded Marian Gaborik and Steven Delisle to Columbus for [[Derick Brassard]], [[Derek Dorsett]], [[John Moore (ice hockey)|John Moore]], and a 2014 sixth-round draft pick.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rangers trade Marian Gaborik |first=Katie |last=Strang |url=https://www.espn.com/new-york/nhl/story/_/id/9130225/marian-gaborik-traded-new-york-rangers-columbus-blue-jackets |publisher=ESPNNewYork.com |date=April 3, 2013 |access-date=March 9, 2015 |archive-date=April 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427140531/http://www.espn.com/new-york/nhl/story/_/id/9130225/marian-gaborik-traded-new-york-rangers-columbus-blue-jackets |url-status=live}}</ref> After the Rangers were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by Boston, management fired head coach John Tortorella, and on June 21, 2013, general manager Glen Sather formally introduced former Canucks head coach [[Alain Vigneault]] as Tortorella's replacement.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rangers hire new coach Vigneault with 5-year deal |first=Ira |last=Podell |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports-content/hockey/nhl/article/20130622033103718540808/ |agency=Associated Press |publisher=CBC.ca |date=June 22, 2013 |access-date=June 9, 2014 |archive-date=December 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224063858/http://www.cbc.ca/sports-content/hockey/nhl/article/20130622033103718540808/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Rick Nash Rangers.jpg|thumb|upright|The Rangers acquired [[Rick Nash]] in a multi-player trade with the [[Columbus Blue Jackets]] in 2012.]]
A trade late in the [[2013–14 NHL season|2013–14 season]] contributed to the Rangers reaching the [[2014 Stanley Cup Finals]]. On March 5, 2014, the Rangers traded their captain Ryan Callahan, along with a first-round draft pick in [[2015 NHL entry draft|2015]], a conditional second-round pick in [[2014 NHL entry draft|2014]], and a conditional seventh-round pick in 2015, for Tampa Bay captain [[Martin St. Louis]]. The trade occurred both due to the Rangers' and Callahan's inability to reach a contract extension, as well as St. Louis' growing tension with the Lightning organization and subsequent request to be traded to New York. The [[2013–14 New York Rangers season|2013–14 Rangers]] were already a strong team, setting a new franchise record of 25 road game wins. New York defeated Philadelphia in seven games in the first round of the [[2014 Stanley Cup playoffs|2014 playoffs]], and in the next round rallied from a 3–1 series deficit for the first time in their history to defeat Pittsburgh in seven games. They then defeated the Montreal Canadiens in six games to become the Eastern Conference champions, moving on to the Cup Finals, their first visit in 20 years, to face [[2012 Stanley Cup Finals|2012]] champions [[Los Angeles Kings]]. The Rangers led the first two games by two goals but lost each game in overtime, and were then shut-out at home 3–0 in game 3. The Kings outshot the Rangers in game 4, but the Rangers staved off elimination by winning the game 2–1. They had another lead in game 5, but after the game was tied and subsequently sent to overtime, Kings defenseman [[Alec Martinez]] scored with 5:17 left in the second overtime period to win the game for Los Angeles, 3–2, as well as the Stanley Cup.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/14/us/stanley-cup-kings/ |title=Los Angeles Kings win Stanley Cup in thriller |publisher=CNN |date=June 14, 2014 |access-date=July 8, 2014 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714234746/http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/14/us/stanley-cup-kings/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

On June 20, 2014, a week after their season ended, the Rangers [[Compliance buyout|bought-out]] the remaining six years of Brad Richards' contract in order to free up [[NHL salary cap|salary cap space]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/brad-richards-bought-out-by-rangers-1.2682344 |title=Brad Richards bought out by Rangers – NHL on CBC Sports – Hockey news, opinion, scores, stats, standings |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=July 8, 2014 |archive-date=July 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709222346/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/brad-richards-bought-out-by-rangers-1.2682344 |url-status=live}}</ref> On October 6, defenseman [[Ryan McDonagh]] was named the Rangers' 27th captain in team history, with [[Derek Stepan]], Dan Girardi, Marc Staal and Martin St. Louis serving as alternates. In [[2014–15 NHL season|2014–15]], the Rangers won the Presidents' Trophy for the third time in franchise history and their seventh division title by finishing with the best record in the NHL at 53–22–7. The 53 wins and 113 points both set franchise records. The team also won 28 road games in the regular season, breaking the franchise record set the previous season. In the [[2015 Stanley Cup playoffs]], the Rangers dispatched the Pittsburgh Penguins in five games in the first round. The Rangers then came back from a 3–1 series deficit to win their second-round series against the Capitals in seven games, becoming the first team in NHL history to battle back from a 3–1 deficit in back-to-back seasons and sending the Rangers to the conference finals for the third time in four years. However, after winning the first game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Rangers lost game 2 by four goals. The two teams split the first four games of the series, but the Rangers lost game 5 by a 2–0 scoreline at home. In game 6, Derick Brassard scored a hat-trick and assisted on two other goals in an emphatic 7–3 victory to force game 7 in New York.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-tbl/2015/05/26/2014030316 | title=Brassard, Rangers down Lightning to force game seven | website=National Hockey League | access-date=May 26, 2015 | archive-date=March 7, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307052936/https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-tbl/2015/05/26/2014030316 | url-status=live}}</ref> There, the Lightning shutout the Rangers 2–0, ending the Rangers' season, and marking the first occasion the Rangers had ever lost a game 7 at home in franchise history as well as the first time they lost an elimination game at home since they lost to Buffalo in [[2007 Stanley Cup playoffs|2007]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-tbl/2015/05/29/2014030317 | title=Lightning defeat Rangers, advance to Cup Final | website=National Hockey League | access-date=May 29, 2015 | archive-date=May 20, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520154013/https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-tbl/2015/05/29/2014030317 | url-status=live}}</ref>

On June 27, 2015, the Rangers traded [[Carl Hagelin]] to the Anaheim Ducks, [[Cam Talbot]] and a draft pick to the Edmonton Oilers, and prospect [[Ryan Haggerty]] to the Chicago Blackhawks for [[Antti Raanta]], who replaced Talbot as Lundqvist's backup goaltender.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kreda |first1=Allan |title=Rangers Swap Forwards and Trade Away Cam Talbot |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/28/sports/hockey/rangers-swap-forwards-and-trade-away-camtalbot.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=May 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001225301/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/28/sports/hockey/rangers-swap-forwards-and-trade-away-camtalbot.html |archive-date=October 1, 2015 |date=June 27, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Trades completed during 2015 NHL Draft weekend|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/trades-completed-during-2015-nhl-draft-weekend/c-772519|website=National Hockey League|access-date=February 9, 2017|date=June 27, 2015|archive-date=February 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211075615/https://www.nhl.com/news/trades-completed-during-2015-nhl-draft-weekend/c-772519|url-status=live}}</ref> Subsequently, on July 1, [[Glen Sather]] resigned as the general manager, with [[Jeff Gorton]] taking his place to become the 11th general manager in team history.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jeff Gorton Named 11th General Manager in Franchise History|url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/jeff-gorton-named-11th-general-manager-in-franchise-history/c-881423|website=National Hockey League|access-date=July 3, 2017|date=July 1, 2015|archive-date=August 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804173259/https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/jeff-gorton-named-11th-general-manager-in-franchise-history/c-881423|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 2, Martin St. Louis announced his retirement.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Whyno|first1=Stephen|title=Martin St. Louis retires from NHL|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/martin-st-louis-retires-from-nhl-1.3135901|website=CBC Sports|agency=The Canadian Press|access-date=February 9, 2017|date=July 2, 2015|archive-date=April 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425101732/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/martin-st-louis-retires-from-nhl-1.3135901|url-status=live}}</ref> The team then re-signed [[Jesper Fast]], [[J. T. Miller]], and Derek Stepan.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Leonard|first1=Pat|title=With Derek Stepan awaiting new deal, Rangers re-sign Jesper Fast, J.T. Miller|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/rangers/stepan-awaiting-new-deal-rangers-re-sign-fast-miller-article-1.2293525|website=Daily News|location=New York|access-date=February 9, 2017|date=July 16, 2015|archive-date=February 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211081332/http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/rangers/stepan-awaiting-new-deal-rangers-re-sign-fast-miller-article-1.2293525|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Leonard|first1=Pat|title=Derek Stepan re-signs with Rangers on $39 million deal|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/rangers/derek-stepan-re-signs-rangers-39-million-deal-article-1.2305283|website=Daily News|location=New York|access-date=February 9, 2017|date=July 16, 2015|archive-date=March 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329024233/http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/rangers/derek-stepan-re-signs-rangers-39-million-deal-article-1.2305283|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Gretz|first1=Adam|title=Rangers sign Derek Stepan to 6-year, $39 million contract|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/rangers-sign-derek-stepan-to-6-year-39-million-contract/|work=CBSSports.com|access-date=February 9, 2017|date=July 27, 2015|archive-date=October 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022075648/http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/rangers-sign-derek-stepan-to-6-year-39-million-contract/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Rangers started the [[2015–16 NHL season|2015–16 season]] with a 14–2–2 record after 18 games, including a nine-game winning streak. However, the team lost their momentum and floundered, posting a 4–7–2 record in December for only ten points. After the holiday break, the team gradually improved their play, going on a 10–3–1 run without any back-to-back losses in February. The Rangers finished the season with 101 points for back-to-back 100+ point seasons. Despite high hopes, the Rangers were eliminated in the first round of the [[2016 Stanley Cup playoffs]] by a Penguins team that would go on to win the Stanley Cup. That summer, the Rangers extended Antti Raanta's contract,<ref>{{cite web|title=Rangers Agree to Terms With Antti Raanta|url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-agree-to-terms-with-antti-raanta/c-881095|website=National Hockey League|access-date=February 9, 2017|date=May 2, 2016|archive-date=February 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211075619/https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-agree-to-terms-with-antti-raanta/c-881095|url-status=live}}</ref> signed [[Pavel Buchnevich]] to an entry-level contract,<ref>{{cite web|title=Rangers Agree to Terms With Forward Pavel Buchnevich|url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-agree-to-terms-with-forward-pavel-buchnevich/c-882664|website=National Hockey League|access-date=February 9, 2017|date=May 13, 2016}}</ref> and re-signed J. T. Miller, [[Chris Kreider]], and [[Kevin Hayes (ice hockey)|Kevin Hayes]].