Injuries
The Rangers have been plagued by injuries this year, and if that pattern continues, it can be a major problem for them in the playoffs. While injuries are a totally random occurrence and can stop or start trend-wise very suddenly, it is still something the team needs to be aware of.
Should that pattern continue, the Rangers do not have adequate place savers in their “Black Aces”. Losing top line forwards would take away from the Rangers biggest strength and make their chances of winning in the playoffs much smaller.
There was a point where the Rangers played without five regulars in the lineup last week. If they seriously want to contend, they need to get healthy, and fast.