There’s no place like road.
Coming off their latest uninspired effort at home, the Rangers (10-8-2) — who have won just one of nine games this season at Madison Square Garden — return to the cozy confines of hotel rooms and charter flights, carrying a six-game road win streak into a three-game western swing, beginning Tuesday in Las Vegas (8-4-6), then following with visits to Colorado (13-1-5) and Utah (10-7-1).
On paper, the slate gives off the appearance of one of the season’s tougher weeks, but logic isn’t welcome in any locker room occupied by the Rangers, who sport the league’s worst mark at home and the league’s best record on the road (9-1-1).
“We gotta keep doing our thing on the road,” defenseman Adam Fox said after Sunday’s 2-1 home loss to the Red Wings. “[It’s a] big trip, three really good teams. You want to stop losses at one and get back to winning.”
Mika Zibanejad controls the puck while on the power play during the Rangers’ Nov. 7 game against the Red Wings.
The team can be confident in the support between the pipes, with the elite tandem of former Vezina (Igor Shesterkin) and Conn Smythe (Jonathan Quick) winners combining to give the Rangers the league’s second-best GAA (2.45), entering Monday.
Though the offense has been abysmal at the Garden, averaging 1.4 goals per game, it has found rhythm almost anywhere else, scoring 3.45 goals per game on the road, partly fueled by the recent awakening of the Rangers power play.
Since going 0-for-12 with the man advantage in a five-game stretch, the Rangers have scored at least one power-play goal in five of their past six games, including the past four, in which they converted 4-of-9 opportunities.
Artemi Panarin tries to control the puck during the Rangers’ Nov. 12 game against the Lightning.
“It’s funny, we were talking about that our power play doesn’t look as good as it did when we weren’t scoring and here we are,” said Rangers assistant David Quinn who served as co-head coach in Mike Sullivan’s absence on Sunday. “One of things, obviously, we’ve been more opportunistic. We were dead last in the league. We were talking amongst ourselves — not only from a coaching standpoint but talking with the players — and there was a high level of frustration from the players’ standpoint because they felt like we were doing a lot of good things. To the eye test, our power play looked good, but we just weren’t scoring goals.
“Now we’re getting goals — I’m not saying we don’t look good at times — but we haven’t been as consistent on it. When we create chances and when we score, there’s a pace and a tempo to our game. We have a little bit of a 5-on-5 mentality, and when we’ve been generating offense and scoring goals on the power play, that’s what our approach has been. We’re taking advantage of the chances we’re getting and that’s the biggest thing.”
Quinn, the former Rangers head coach (2018-21), and assistant coach Joe Sacco, could split the lead duties again in Las Vegas.
Sullivan was a late scratch on Sunday due to a family matter and it is unclear when he will rejoin the team.
“It’s different,” Fox said of the dynamic without Sullivan. “I don’t think we’re gonna use that as an excuse. We’re gonna hope for the best with him. It’s an excuse that we could use, but obviously it doesn’t help when you’re missing your head coach.”
“COLTS FANS, GET READY: A LEGEND IS BACK TO DOMINATE SPECIAL TEAMS AGAIN!”
In an unexpected turn of events that has set social media ablaze, the Indianapolis Colts have made a series of dramatic roster moves that are bound to shake up their playoff hopes. But the real headline?
For Colts fans, this news is nothing short of a victory lap. Odum, who first made waves with the Colts as an undrafted free agent back in 2018, carved out a special place in Indianapolis lore by becoming a 2020 NFL First-Team All-Pro for his performance on special teams. His relentless energy and playmaking ability helped catapult the Colts to new heights in that magical season.
But that was just the beginning.
In 2022, Odum signed a 3-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers, where he elevated his game even further, earning 2nd-Team All-Pro honors for his exceptional special teams play. While Odum’s 2024 season ended prematurely due to an elbow injury and subsequent surgery, the 32-year-old safety is ready to give his all once again. Now back with the Colts, Odum’s return promises to bring an unmatched veteran presence to a squad that has been striving to solidify its special teams unit.
Could Odum’s arrival be the catalyst the Colts need to make a deep playoff push? Fans are buzzing, and for good reason.
While Odum’s return may have stolen the spotlight, the Colts’ roster shakeup doesn’t end there. The team has also made strategic moves by signing Viliami Fehoko Jr., Eli Pancol
, and Chris Wormley to their practice squad, ensuring that the Colts’ defense and receiving corps stay competitive throughout the season.
Fehoko, a former 4th-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 2023, brings a fierce edge to the defensive line. Standing at 6’4″ and weighing 267 pounds, Fehoko’s time with the Washington Commanders’ practice squad has prepared him to step up when called upon. Fehoko was a monster at San Jose State, earning 3x First-Team All-Mountain West honors and a Mountain West Player of the Year award in 2022. He’s ready to bring that dominant mindset to the Colts’ defense.
Meanwhile, the team has also added Eli Pancol, an undrafted rookie wide receiver from Duke, who spent time on the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad. Pancol is a promising talent, having earned Third-Team All-ACC honors last season. The Colts are clearly positioning themselves to strengthen their receiving game in anticipation of the playoff stretch.
And let’s not forget Chris Wormley, a defensive tackle who adds depth to the Colts’ front. Though his name might not always make the headlines, Wormley’s presence will likely prove invaluable as the season progresses.
With every major addition comes a few tough departures. In corresponding moves, the Colts have decided to release
Kpassagnon, Mang, and Pride Jr. were once promising figures on the Colts’ depth chart, but these cuts make it clear that the team is intent on clearing space for more impactful players. These moves, though tough for fans to swallow, might just be the right call if Indianapolis wants to make a serious playoff push.
With these bold roster changes, the Indianapolis Colts have sent a clear message to the NFL: They’re not here to play it safe. Odum’s return could bring the spark that propels the Colts’ special teams to the next level, while Fehoko and Pancol add youthful energy to a defense and offense that’s been searching for consistency.
As the season continues, all eyes will be on Indianapolis. With a renewed sense of optimism, Colts fans are already envisioning a deep playoff run—and perhaps even a Super Bowl appearance.
Will George Odum’s legendary special teams play be the difference-maker? Can Fehoko Jr. finally make his mark in the NFL? And how will the Colts fare with a roster that now boasts a mix of fresh talent and seasoned veterans?
The stage is set, and Indianapolis is ready to light up the NFL. Stay tuned. The best is yet to come.