Time to look at the lottery standings as well as the playoff possibilities for the New York Rangers. It’s a quiet night in the NHL so don’t expect much to change.
So, it’s Saturday matinee day at the Barclay’s Center. Part two of the home and away series against the Islanders. By the end of the day, the New York Rangers may be glad that they are done playing the Isles for the season.
Friday night was a quiet night with only four games. Two could affect the Rangers playoff drive with three games involving lottery draft rivals.
“The Athletic” website has the Rangers with a 1% chance of making the playoffs and finishing with a record of 32-37-12 (I know, it adds up to 81 games). They project the Rangers to finish fourth worst in the NHL. That’s a pretty good lottery draft position.
Tankathon.com has the fourth worst team with a 28.8% chance of a top three lottery pick. and a 9.5% chance of getting the top pick. Compare that to where they are now, eighth worst in the NHL. In eighth place, they have a 19% shot at a top three pick and a 6% chance of the top pick. When you look at how these selections are weighted in the lottery, it really is a roll of the dice to see where you finish and it is understandable how teams like Montreal and Carolina could move up so much last June and how fortunate Buffalo was to retain the top overall pick so they could get Rasmus Dahlin.
The Lottery Look
It was an okay night for the drive to the bottom. Winnipeg beat Detroit and Calgary beat Florida so those two teams stay on pace with the Rangers. Carolina did upset the Sabres and are six points better than the Rangers and getting dangerously close to become a Playoff contender.
Some major changes in the standings at the bottom. Carolina move up a couple slots into 14th place ahead of Anaheim, who lost their tenth in a row and are now officially in The Lottery Look. Minnesota moved out as they are in a playoff slot.
The standings (worst is first)
Teams GP W-L-OTL PTS ROW
1. Los Angeles 45 17-25-3 37 16
2. Philadelphia 43 16-22-6 38 14
3. Ottawa 45 17-23-5 39 17
4. Detroit 46 16-23-7 39 14
5. New Jersey 43 16-20-7 39 15
6. Chicago 46 16-22-8 40 16
7. St Louis 42 18-20-4 40 18
8. Rangers 43 17-19-7 41 12
9. Arizona 43 19-21-3 41 17
10. Florida 42 17-18-8 42 15
11. Vancouver 46 20-21-5 45 19
12. Edmonton 44 21-20-3 45 19
13. Anaheim 45 19-18-8 46 16
14. Carolina 44 21-18-5 47 20
15. Montreal 45 23-17-5 51 21
Who to root for
There are a LOT of teams in action, 24 out of 31. Besides the Rangers and Islanders, there are seven other games involving teams in the lottery hunt. When you consider that only eight points separate the bottom 14 teams, wins and losses really matter. Let’s put it this way. If the Rangers lose in Brooklyn and the Blues, Blackhawks and Devils also win, the Rangers could find themselves tied for the fifth from the bottom.
Flyers @ Devils – Philadelphia has 38 points, New Jersey as 39., This game needs to go to overtime and either team can win and it will help the Rangers.
Red Wings @ Wild – Detroit starts the day two points behind New York. Meanwhile, Minnesota has opened a six point lead over the Rangers and are in the wild card position. Root for Detroit to pull this one out. Again, an overtime game would be preferred.
Golden Knights @ Blackhawks – Chicago is one point behind the Rangers. Beating Vegas will be hard, but they can do it. Root for Chicago.
Blues @ Stars – St. Louis is making a move. That’s good for the Rangers’ lottery hopes. They are only one point behind New York so a Blues win will drop the Rangers one position (if they lose to the Isles).
Coyotes @ Oilers – Arizona has the same number of points and games played as New York, but own the tiebreaker (ROW’s). Meanwhile, Edmonton is pulling ahead of the Blueshirts. Root for Arizona to beat Edmonton in overtime.
Senators @ Sharks – Ottawa is surprising everybody by winning two in a row. That streak should end against the Sharks, but we can hope. Go Ottawa!
Penguins @ Kings – The Pens are red hot, but the Kings have been doing better lately. Maybe they can pull off the home ice win. A win could get them out of last overall.
Avalanche @ Canadiens – Out of the playoffs, the Habs are in the lottery game. Hopefully they can win at home vs. Colorado.