New York Rangers: What the Rangers need to do to make the playoffs

As the 2018 half of the season comes to an end, the New York Rangers face an identity crisis and sit only six points out of a playoff position.

The jury is still very much divided on whether or not the New York Rangers should attempt to be a contender for the playoffs. On one hand, fighting for a position in the playoffs gives the team a sense of purpose, and could show how head coach David Quinn coaches under duress. In addition to the purpose and sense of accomplishment, it seems to be the right thing to do, particularly regarding Henrik Lundqvist. The Rangers owe it to their franchise goaltender to not submit to a “tank culture” and give him another opportunity to perform a miracle.

On the other hand, the thought of the Rangers playing in the playoffs brings little more than the fear of being promptly booted out with nothing to show. In addition they would  likely be losing an optimal selection in the NHL Entry Draft in the process.

The Rangers seem to be in some state of limbo, regarding fighting for the playoffs and slipping back into the dark depths  of the Eastern Conference. Coach Quinn is adamant about driving the team as much as possible, and will  be expected to push the players to win every game.

Pick a plan

Before the Rangers can start to climb the mountain before them, the organization and coaching staff need to determine what they are fighting for. If the goal is making the playoffs as a wildcard or anything further, there are things they need to do. First the Rangers, sitting below the league average for scoring, need to focus on producing more offensively,

Second, the team also must focus on playing a tighter, more cohesive defensive game in both their own zone, but also the neutral zone. Tightening up the often lackluster defense would benefit the team in the long run and would resolve one of the most prevalent issues surrounding the team this season.

Make the right moves

In the case that the Rangers coaching staff thinks they will shoot for a playoff appearance, it would likely be ill-advised to make one of the many trades that have been rumored, particularly surrounding a red-hot Kevin Hayes. With the trade deadline on February 25th, the cost of a potential playoff run would end up being whatever return the Rangers were going to get in any major trades. This will leave the Rangers with a bit less to work with in the draft, and a bit more work to do in the summer, structuring up some contract extensions.

In addition to the more conservative business approach the front office would need to take, the team would need to make some more decisions conducive to winning, which in the Rangers case, happen to be regarding the team’s pro-youth movement.

For the team to really decide if they are going to shoot for a playoff appearance, a decision needs to be made rather quickly, as it dictates a good portion of the rest of the season and who should be seeing ice time, and who will be a member of the roster come day one of free agency.