The 2009–10 New York Rangers season was the franchise's 83rd season of play and their 84th season overall. For the first time in five years, the Rangers failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs after falling to the Philadelphia Flyers in each team's last game with the winner clinching the final Eastern Conference playoff spot and the loser being eliminated. This is the first time since the 2003–04 season and the only season the Rangers missed the playoffs between 2005–06 and 2016–17.

Off-season On May 4, 2009, Markus Naslund announced that he would be retiring from professional hockey after playing one season for the Rangers.

At the NHL entry draft, the Rangers chose Chris Kreider with their first-round pick, 19th overall. The Rangers followed this with a couple of trades at the draft to acquire Brian Boyle and Chad Johnson. A bigger splash was made a few days later when the Rangers traded Scott Gomez to the Montreal Canadiens. With Gomez's $7 million contract gone, the Rangers then signed free agent Marian Gaborik on July 1, the first day of free agency. On July 16, the Rangers announced that Mike Sullivan had been hired as an assistant coach.

On August 16, 2009, Mark Messier rejoined the Rangers organization as a special assistant to general manager Glen Sather.

Pre-season 2009 pre-season game log: 3–3–1 (Home: 2–1–0; Road: 1–2–1) # Date Opponent Score Decision Record 1 September 15 Boston Bruins 2–1 Zaba 0–1–0 2 September 16 @ New Jersey Devils 3–2 SO Johnson 0–1–1 3 September 18 @ Detroit Red Wings 4–3 Zaba 0–2–1 4 September 19 @ Boston Bruins 5–2 Valiquette 1–2–1 5 September 21 Detroit Red Wings 4–2 Lundqvist 2–2–1 6 September 24 Washington Capitals 3–2 Lundqvist 3–2–1 7 September 27 @ Washington Capitals 4–3 Lundqvist 3–3–1

Regular season The NHL took a two-week break from February 15 to March 1 for the Olympics. The Rangers had five players represent their countries; Chris Drury and Ryan Callahan for the United States, Marian Gaborik for Slovakia, Olli Jokinen for Finland and Henrik Lundqvist for Sweden.

Divisional standings

Conference standings

Schedule and results

|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 1 || 2 || @ Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–2 || Lundqvist || 0–1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 2 || 3 || Ottawa Senators || 5–2 || Lundqvist || 1–1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 3 || 5 || @ New Jersey Devils || 3–2 || Lundqvist || 2–1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 4 || 8 || @ Washington Capitals || 4–3 || Lundqvist || 3–1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 5 || 11 || Anaheim Ducks || 3–0 || Valiquette || 4–1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 6 || 12 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 7–2 || Lundqvist || 5–1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 7 || 14 || Los Angeles Kings || 4–2 || Lundqvist || 6–1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 8 || 17 || @ Toronto Maple Leafs || 4–1 || Lundqvist || 7–1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 9 || 19 || San Jose Sharks || 7–3 || Valiquette || 7–2–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 10 || 22 || New Jersey Devils || 4–2 || Lundqvist || 7–3–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="white" | 11 || 24 || @ Montreal Canadiens || 5–4 OT || Lundqvist || 7–3–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 12 || 26 || Phoenix Coyotes || 5–2 || Lundqvist || 8–3–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 13 || 28 || @ New York Islanders || 3–1 || Lundqvist || 8–4–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 14 || 30 || @ Minnesota Wild || 3–2 || Lundqvist || 8–5–1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 15 || 1 || Boston Bruins || 1–0 || Lundqvist || 9–5–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 16 || 3 || @ Vancouver Canucks || 4–1 || Lundqvist || 9–6–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 17 || 5 || @ Edmonton Oilers || 4–2 || Valiquette || 10–6–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 18 || 7 || @ Calgary Flames || 3–1 || Valiquette || 10–7–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 19 || 12 || Atlanta Thrashers || 5–3 || Lundqvist || 10–8–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 20 || 14 || @ Ottawa Senators || 2–1 SO || Lundqvist || 11–8–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 21 || 17 || Washington Capitals || 4–2 || Lundqvist || 11–9–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 22 || 21 || Florida Panthers || 3–2 || Lundqvist || 11–10–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 23 || 23 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 7–4 || Lundqvist || 12–10–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 24 || 25 || @ Florida Panthers || 2–1 SO || Lundqvist || 13–10–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 25 || 27 || @ Tampa Bay Lightning || 5–1 || Lundqvist || 13–11–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 26 || 28 || @ Pittsburgh Penguins || 8–3 || Valiquette || 13–12–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 27 || 30 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–2 || Lundqvist|| 13–13–1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 28 || 5 || @ Buffalo Sabres || 2–1 || Lundqvist || 14–13–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 29 || 6 || Detroit Red Wings || 3–1 || Lundqvist || 14–14–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="white" | 30 || 9 || @ Chicago Blackhawks || 2–1 OT || Lundqvist || 14–14–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 31 || 12 || Buffalo Sabres || 3–2 || Lundqvist || 14–15–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="white" | 32 || 14 || Atlanta Thrashers || 3–2 SO || Lundqvist || 14–15–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 33 || 16 || New York Islanders || 2–1 || Lundqvist || 14–16–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 34 || 17 || @ New York Islanders || 5–2 || Lundqvist || 15–16–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 35 || 19 || @ Philadelphia Flyers || 2–1 || Lundqvist || 16–16–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 36 || 21 || @ Carolina Hurricanes || 3–1 || Lundqvist || 17–16–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 37 || 23 || Florida Panthers || 4–1 || Lundqvist || 18–16–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="white" | 38 || 26 || New York Islanders || 3–2 OT || Lundqvist || 18–16–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 39 || 30 || Philadelphia Flyers || 6–0 || Lundqvist || 18–17–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 40 || 31 || @ Carolina Hurricanes || 2–1 || Lundqvist || 19–17–4

|- align="center" bgcolor="white" | 41 || 2 || Carolina Hurricanes || 2–1 OT || Lundqvist || 19–17–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 42 || 4 || Boston Bruins || 3–2 || Lundqvist || 20–17–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 43 || 6 || Dallas Stars || 5–2 || Lundqvist || 21–17–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="white" | 44 || 7 || @ Atlanta Thrashers || 2–1 SO || Johnson || 21–17–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 45 || 9 || @ Boston Bruins || 3–1 || Lundqvist || 22–17–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="white" | 46 || 12 || New Jersey Devils || 1–0 SO || Lundqvist || 22–17–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 47 || 14 || Ottawa Senators || 2–0 || Lundqvist || 22–18–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 48 || 16 || @ St. Louis Blues || 4–1 || Johnson || 22–19–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 49 || 17 || Montreal Canadiens || 6–2 || Lundqvist || 23–19–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 50 || 19 || Tampa Bay Lightning || 8–2 || Lundqvist || 24–19–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 51 || 21 || @ Philadelphia Flyers || 2–0 || Lundqvist || 24–20–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 52 || 23 || @ Montreal Canadiens || 6–0 || Lundqvist || 24–21–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 53 || 25 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–2 || Lundqvist || 24–22–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 54 || 27 || Carolina Hurricanes || 5–1 || Lundqvist || 24–23–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 55 || 30 || @ Phoenix Coyotes || 3–2 || Johnson || 24–24–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 56 || 31 || @ Colorado Avalanche || 3–1 || Johnson || 25–24–7

|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 57 || 2 || @ Los Angeles Kings || 2–1 || Lundqvist || 25–25–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 58 || 4 || Washington Capitals || 6–5 || Lundqvist || 25–26–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 59 || 6 || New Jersey Devils || 3–1 || Lundqvist || 26–26–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 60 || 10 || Nashville Predators || 2–1 || Lundqvist || 26–27–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 61 || 12 || @ Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–2 OT || Lundqvist || 27–27–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 62 || 14 || Tampa Bay Lightning || 5–2 || Lundqvist || 28–27–7

|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 63 || 2 || @ Ottawa Senators || 4–1 || Lundqvist || 29–27–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="white" | 64 || 4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–4 OT || Lundqvist || 29–27–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 65 || 6 || @ Washington Capitals || 2–0 || Auld || 29–28–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="white" | 66 || 7 || Buffalo Sabres || 2–1 OT || Lundqvist || 29–28–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 67 || 10 || @ New Jersey Devils || 6–3 || Lundqvist || 29–29–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 68 || 12 || @ Atlanta Thrashers || 5–2 || Lundqvist || 30–29–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 69 || 14 || Philadelphia Flyers || 3–1 || Lundqvist || 31–29–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 70 || 16 || Montreal Canadiens || 3–1 || Lundqvist || 31–30–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 71 || 18 || St. Louis Blues || 4–3 || Lundqvist || 31–31–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 72 || 21 || @ Boston Bruins || 2–1 || Lundqvist || 31–32–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 73 || 24 || New York Islanders || 5–0 || Lundqvist || 32–32–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 74 || 25 || @ New Jersey Devils || 4–3 SO || Lundqvist || 33–32–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="white" | 75 || 27 || @ Toronto Maple Leafs || 3–2 OT || Lundqvist || 33–32–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 76 || 30 || @ New York Islanders || 4–3 || Lundqvist || 34–32–10

|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 77 || 2 || @ Tampa Bay Lightning || 5–0 || Lundqvist || 35–32–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 78 || 3 || @ Florida Panthers || 4–1 || Lundqvist || 36–32–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 79 || 6 || @ Buffalo Sabres || 5–2 || Lundqvist || 36–33–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 80 || 7 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 5–1 || Lundqvist || 37–33–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 81 || 9 || Philadelphia Flyers || 4–3 || Lundqvist || 38–33–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="white" | 82 || 11 || @ Philadelphia Flyers || 2–1 SO || Lundqvist || 38–33–11

Playoffs The New York Rangers failed to qualify for the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs, despite going 7–1–2 at the end of the season. Their run set up a home and home series with the seventh place Philadelphia Flyers, but the Rangers fell to the Flyers in a shootout in the final game of the season and finished one point out of the playoffs.

Player statistics Skaters

Regular season Player 76 42 44 86 15 37 75 20 38 58 8 32 69 20 24 44 9 54 80 9 28 37 −20 32 77 19 18 37 −12 48 77 14 18 32 −10 31 69 11 20 31 0 160 82 12 16 28 −2 32 82 8 19 27 11 44 † 49 8 18 26 14 24 82 6 18 24 −2 53 82 3 20 23 3 78 ‡ 45 8 14 22 −18 38 69 4 11 15 0 23 † 26 4 11 15 1 22 75 2 12 14 8 27 57 6 8 14 −1 18 ‡ 55 6 8 14 −9 32 † 26 4 5 9 3 65 22 3 5 8 −2 4 41 3 4 7 −2 89 71 4 2 6 −6 47 † 21 2 4 6 4 37 † 8 0 2 2 2 0 36 0 1 1 −9 73 5 1 0 1 1 31 3 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 2 5 0 0 0 0 4 7 0 0 0 2 0

Goaltenders Regular season Player 73 4204 35 27 10 167 2.38 2109 .921 4 0 1 0 6 305 2 3 0 19 3.74 128 .852 1 0 0 0 5 281 1 2 1 11 2.35 135 .919 0 0 1 0 † 3 119 0 1 0 5 2.52 52 .904 0 0 0 0 1 34 0 0 0 2 3.53 16 .875 0 0 0 0

†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Rangers. Stats reflect time with Rangers only. ‡Traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with Rangers only.

Awards and records

Awards Regular season Player Award Reached Michael Del ZottoRangers defenceman Del Zotto receives NHL rookie of the month honours NHL Rookie of the Month October 2009 Marian GaborikIginla, Thornton, Gaborik November's 3 Stars NHL Third Star of the Month November 2009

Milestones