It’s time for another look at how NHL action affected the New York Rangers drive to the playoffs (for the optimists) or their position in the Jack Hughes sweepstakes (for the pessimists).
Friday was a quiet night with only three games in the NHL, all involving teams from the East. There were no upsets as all three of the favorites (Toronto, Montreal and the Islanders) won their respective games. Here’s how the results affect the Rangers bid for a playoff spot.
The Playoff Picture
The only change in the standings was that Montreal leapfrogged over the idle Boston Bruins into the first Eastern Conference wild card spot. The change means the Rangers fell one more point out of a playoff spot as they are seven points behind the Boston Bruins for the last wild card spot. Boston holds all of the tiebreakers.
The Rangers remain seven points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for third place in the Metropolitan Division and again, the Penguins own all of the tiebreakers.
In “The Athletic’s” daily projection of playoff potential, they have the Rangers with a 6% chance of making the post-season. You don’t want to know the odds of winning the Cup (0.02%). Here are the standings:
The standings
Atlantic Div. GP W-L-OTL PTS ROW
Tampa 38 29-7-2 60 26
Toronto 38 26-10-2 54 26
Buffalo 38 21-12-5 47 18
Met Div. GP W-L-OTL PTS ROW
Washington 36 23-10-3 49 20
Columbus 38 22-13-3 47 22
Pittsburgh 37 19-12-6 44 18
Wild Card GP W-L-OTL PTS ROW
Montreal 38 20-13-5 45 18
Boston 38 20-14-4 44 19
Contenders GP W-L-OTL PTS ROW
Islanders 36 19-13-4 42 17
Rangers 36 15-14-7 37 10
Florida 36 15-15-6 36 14
Detroit 39 15-18-6 36 13
Carolina 36 15-16-5 35 14
Philadelphia 36 15-16-5 34 13
Ottawa 38 15-19-4 34 15
New Jersey 36 13-16-7 33 13
Who to root for:
After a really quiet night it is as busy as the NHL gets, with 15 games. There could be some major playoff consequences for the Blueshirts.
Rangers @ Nashville – No doubt about this one…the Rangers need to deal the Predators their sixth loss in a row. Nashville is slumping so it is a good time for the Blueshirts to win a road game in regulation.
Hurricanes @ Devils – The Canes are only two points behind the Rangers…the Devils need to win this one.
Bruins @ Sabres – This Atlantic Division grudge match has consequences for New York. Already ten points behind the Sabres, Ranger fans need to root for Buffalo to topple Boston so the Rangers can narrow that wild card gap. A Ranger win and a Boston loss and the difference will be five points and the Blueshirts have two games in hand.
Islanders @ Maple Leafs – John Tavares gets to play his old team for the first time. Ranger fans should hope he is fired up enough to get the win for Toronto. The Rangers have to get past the Islanders to make the playoffs.
Capitals @ Senators – Washington is out of reach, but Ottawa is only three points behind the Rangers, so root for a road win for the Capitals.
Canadiens @ Lightning – The Habs sit in one of those two wild card spots, eight points ahead of New York. Tampa should do what they are supposed to and win at home over Montreal. A Ranger win and a Montreal loss and the difference is six points and the Rangers have two games in hand.
Flyers @ Panthers – This one is a toss up. Both Florida and Philadelphia are nipping at the Rangers’ heels with the Panthers only one point behind. A Flyers win and they have the same number of points as the Panthers. Can both teams lose????
Penguins @ Blues – The Pens are seven points up on the Rangers in third place in the Met. Ranger fans should be pulling hard for St. Louis to upset. It’s not impossible, the Blues have won two in a row and have already beaten Buffalo, Calgary and Winnipeg this month.
Okay, that’s a look at the games that will have a direct impact on the Rangers’ playoff hopes. If you are a pessimist and are hoping for a shot at the #1 slot in the Entry Draft, keep reading. If you don’t want to start considering that option, stop reading.