New York Rangers’ Goals in Final Stretch of the Season

The New York Rangers have ten games remaining in the regular season. They are not a favorite to take a victory lap with the Cup come June, but they could be dangerous. There are a few things they need to get done and sort out in these final games to give them the best shot of making a deep playoff run.

Get and Stay Healthy

The Rangers don’t have that one superstar or line to carry the offensive load. The team relies on its forward depth and contributions from all four lines.

The lineup was thinned and weakened with key guys like Michael Grabner and Jesper Fast out. With Fast back, the group is again intact and needs to stay that way.

Defensemen Dan Girardi and Kevin Klein are also close to returning. Given Vigneault’s steadfast loyalty to the declining veterans, this may not be a good thing.

The indispensable Henrik Lundquist is also nearing a return.

Rest Key Guys

The Rangers should look to rest guys down the stretch when possible to avoid a crippling injury and keep players fresh. Chris Kreider has been banged up and could use a break. Jimmy Vesey has never played nearly this many games in a season and has not had his legs at times.

Ryan McDonagh was hurt with three games left in the season last year. With their playoff position unlikely to change, they have the luxury of reducing the Captain’s workload.

Stay Where They Are in the Standings

The Rangers are in good position to benefit from the NHL’s playoff format. Although they have the fourth most points in the Eastern Conference, they are the first wildcard since the top three teams in the Conference play in their division.

This means they would crossover to the weaker Atlantic bracket. The Rangers would only have to play one of the Capitals, Penguins, or Blue Jackets. They can let their Metropolitan foes cannibalize each other and then face last team standing in the Conference Finals.

The Rangers have to do their part by beating two tough teams in the Atlantic, currently the Canadiens, Senators, and Bruins. That won’t be easy, but it’s the clear path of less resistance. The fact that the Rangers will likely not have home ice advantage throughout doesn’t seem to be a problem either, with this team’s prowess on the road.

It would take a complete collapse for the Rangers to be overtaken for the wildcard spot by one of the teams behind them. With three points over the weekend bumping them up to 93, this is not likely.

So the only way they could lose the spot is by moving up. And with the way the Penguins and Blue Jackets are playing, that possibility is fading quickly.

They need to finish strong, but not strong enough to catch anyone. The Rangers would not have much of a chance of surviving the murderer’s row lined up in the Metropolitan.

Sort Out the Defense

Predicting Alain Vigneault’s decisions regarding his defensemen is a fool’s errand. When Girardi and Klein went down, many of us expected a long look at Adam Clendening. But after a few games, Steven Kampfer was abruptly called up and inserted into the lineup.

With Kampfer filling in capably and Klein and Girardi nearing a return, it seemed that Clendening had become an afterthought. Then Saturday night in Minnesota, there he was in the lineup, playing well.

When Girardi and Klein are ready to play, Vigneault will have some decisions to make. Vigneault won’t trust Kampfer over his veterans. Will Clendening get a fresh look or was it just a matchup play against the Wild?

Vigneault has not hesitated to put Girardi into the lineup when available. We have to expect that to happen again, making the initial playoff six; McDonagh, Smith, Skjei, Staal, Holder, and Girardi.

Klein would probably be the seventh guy, with Clendening possibly getting some starts in the right matchup. Klein needs to get back into game shape. The Rangers also need to get find some minutes for Clendening and Kampfer down the stretch to see who’ll be the seventh guy if Girardi or Klein have injury setbacks.

The Rangers need to use these last games to get the pairs lined up and get them comfortable with their roles and partners.

Get Lundqvist Rolling While Keeping Him Fresh

Henrik Lundqvist’s injury never seemed that serious. With little to play for, they decided to play it safe with their aging goaltender. Lundqvist is skating and could return this weekend in California.

He will need work to be sharp. Tuesday and Wednesday are the last back-to-back games of the season. The final eight are spread out, so he should be able to play in as many of those as necessary to get his rhythm.

The final three games present opportunities for playoff atmosphere type battles against Washington, Ottawa, and Pittsburgh. Barring a setback, I would expect Lundqvist to play about five of the remaining eight games, including two of those last three.

Keeping him both sharp and rested is a fine line. But the Rangers have no chance without exceptional play from Lundqvist.

Play the Youngsters

To the chagrin of many, Tanner Glass still seems to be an option for Vigneault. Glass played on Friday, but Pavel Buchnevich was back in the lineup on Saturday. It looks like the last forward spot will be matchup dependent.

Either way, Buchnevich needs to get his confidence up as they will need his offense. The Rangers would be wise to play him as much as possible. If Vigneault has doubts, he should put him on the ice in key spots to see if he has a player ready to contribute in the playoffs or one he should shelf until next year.

Jimmy Vesey’s spot is secure, but the Rangers want to get him going. He been hot and cold, but he reminded us on Saturday that he can be a difference maker. The playoffs will be a new level of intensity and he needs to get key minutes against good teams to prepare him as much as possible, without wearing him down.

Next: New York Rangers's Top Lineup for Postseason Success

Final Thoughts

The Rangers are not without their flaws, but they could surprise. The playoff format is working in their favor and they are getting healthy. The team needs to find their best playoff lineup and build confidence in these last ten games to have any chance of making that happen.