Nick Fotiu likes what he sees with the 2023-24 New York Rangers.

“I think they have a real good chance of winning [the Stanley Cup]. Everything they’re doing is working,” said the now 71-year-old former Blueshirts winger and Staten Island native, who is still a staple at home games for the team whose 104 points (50-20-4) leads the NHL entering the April 1 contest against the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins.

With the postseason set to begin on April 20, expectations for a parade down the “Canyon of Heroes” — something the Rangers have only done once since 1940, that being the magical season of 1993-94 — are extremely high. Of course, dreams were pretty lofty last year until a Game 7 loss to the hated Devils in the opening round.

There are differences this season, however.

First is the person behind the bench. While Gerard Gallant went 99-46-19 in two seasons as head coach, he was relieved of his duties by general manager Chris Drury, a Stanley Cup winner during his playing days with Colorado. The move surprised many, but Drury’s switch to Peter Laviolette, who briefly played with the Rangers before embarking on a coaching career that’s seen him become one of the greatest American-born mentors, winning a championship with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006.

“I know Peter. We worked out together years ago. He’s a good hockey guy,” said Fotiu, a 15-year pro. “He gets the most out of his players, he knows how to handle them. He has a lot of experience. Hopefully, the goaltending will be better, and the goal scorers will score.”

Fotiu pointed at two recent games, a 6-5 overtime win over the Flyers at Madison Square Garden on March 26, and an 8-5 victory at Arizona this past Saturday, as examples of why he’s a bit concerned over the play of Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick.

Another difference came at the trade deadline. Last season, the Rangers pulled the trigger on acquiring stars Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane. This time around, Drury was low-key, picking up depth players Jack Roslovic, Alex Wennberg and Chad Ruhwedel.

“Big names don’t mean a lot to me. Right now, one of my favorite players on the team is Zac Jones,” Fotiu said of the little-used defenseman, who has taken advantage of a recent increase in playing time caused by injuries. “[Jones] has spunk, speed, can handle the puck and is good on rushes.”

Fotiu also had high praise for former first overall draft pick Alexis Lafreniere, who recorded his first career hat trick on Saturday. “I think he’s had a helluva year,” said Fotiu of Lafreniere, who enters Monday’s game with 25 goals, tied for third on the team.

As for keys when the Rangers do begin their postseason run, top scorer Artemi Panarin needs to produce. “Everybody wants big things from him in the playoffs,” Fotiu said of “The Bread Man,” who only has seven goals and 20 assists in 30 postseason contests with the Bleshirts — including a paltry two points (both assists) in the seven-game series loss last year to New Jersey.

When asked which Eastern Conference club presents the biggest obstacle to the Finals, “I’m concerned about every team,” Fotiu said. “There are upsets in hockey, football, basketball, the NCAA tournament. You have to be prepared. You can’t take anyone lightly. You have to treat every team like they’re King Kong.”

Fotiu believes in hard work, but he doesn’t put much stock in jinxes. While it’s true only eight teams since 1985-86 that captured the President’s Trophy for best regular-season record went on to win the Stanley Cup (the last being the 2012-13 Red Wings).

“I don’t buy into that,” said Fotiu, a member of the 1978-79 Rangers who reached the Finals. “If you go to Montreal, you’ll see all those banners from seasons when they had the best record.”

Asked which current Rangers could suit up for the ’79 team, which upset the Islanders in the league semifinals prior to their rival’s historic run of four straight titles, “All of them could’ve played, as long as they could’ve handled the rough stuff … remember, it was a different game back then.”

Fotiu, who initially learned the sport playing roller hockey in South Beach, and who is still sixth on the franchise’s all-time list for penalty minutes with 970, said blueliner and captain Jacob Trouba would be his “No. 1 choice” of current Rangers who’d fit in nicely with the ’79 squad. Others named included defenseman Ryan Lindgren, center Matt Rempe, left wing Chris Kreider, Panarin and center Vincent Trocheck.

Fotiu, who remains a fan favorite at MSG, declined to make any predictions on that parade, only stating, “With the season they’ve had, they should be right up there … as long as the goal scorers produce.”