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New York Rangers: Lottery Look/Playoff Picture for Sunday, January 13

By Steve Paulus

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 12: Anders Lee #27 of the New York Islanders plays the puck against Filip Chytil #72 of the New York Rangers at Barclays Center on January 12, 2019 the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 12: Anders Lee #27 of the New York Islanders plays the puck against Filip Chytil #72 of the New York Rangers at Barclays Center on January 12, 2019 the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 12: Johnny Boychuk #55 and Robin Lehner #40 of the New York Islanders defend against Filip Chytil #72 of the New York Rangers during the third period skates against the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on January 12, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Rangers defeated the Islanders 3-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 12: Johnny Boychuk #55 and Robin Lehner #40 of the New York Islanders defend against Filip Chytil #72 of the New York Rangers during the third period skates against the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on January 12, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Rangers defeated the Islanders 3-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

The Playoff Picture

The Rangers’ playoff rivals are really just Buffalo, the Islanders and Montreal, with Columbus worth keeping an eye on.  In that case, it was a good day in the playoff race, mostly due to the Rangers’ win over the Islanders.

The Lightning topped the Sabres and that moved Buffalo out of a playoff spot and nine points ahead of the Rangers.   Although the Sabres and Islanders are tied in points, the Sabres have played 45 games to the Isles 43 so they lose the tiebreaker.

Montreal beat the Avalanche and vaulted over Buffalo and the Islanders into the first wildcard slot.  Colorado has won only one game in their last ten (against the Blueshirts) and are one of a several Western Conference teams in a tailspin.

Columbus did the Rangers no favors by beating the Capitals in overtime. The Rangers have faint hopes for a third place finish in the Metropolitan Division and the Blue Jackets are in their way and 12 points ahead.  That makes Sunday’s match with Columbus pretty important.

The Bruins upset the Maple Leafs and remain 13 points up on New York.  More important to them, they are now only two points behind the Leafs.

In a surprise outcome, the Los Angeles Kings beat the Pens 5-2 at Staples Center. The Pens are still 13 points up on the Rangers, but better than 15.

The standings

Atlantic Div.  GP    W-L-OTL      PTS    ROW
Tampa             45       35-8-2         72      32
Toronto           44      28-14-2       58      28
Boston            45      26-15-4       56      25
Met Div.         GP      W-L-OTL     PTS   ROW
Washington   44      27-12-5       59     24
Pittsburgh     45      25-14-6        56     24
Columbus       44      26-15-3       55     26
Wild Card       GP       W-L-OTL      PTS  ROW
Montreal        46      24-17-5       53     22
Islanders        43       24-15-4      52     22
Contenders   GP      W-L-OTL      PTS  ROW
Buffalo            45      23-16-6       52     20
Carolina          44      21-18-5       47     20
Florida            42        17-18-8      42     15
Rangers         44        18-19-7      43     13
New Jersey    44       17-20-7       41     16
Detroit            47       17-23-7       41     15
Ottawa           47       17-24-5       39     17
Philadelphia  45      16-23-6        38     14

Who to root for

Other than the Rangers game with Columbus, only one team currently in a playoff spot and catch-able is in action (the Islanders).  The other two games have some playoff interest, but are incidental to the race.

Lightning @ Islanders -This is a key game and the Rangers really need Tampa to play to form and beat the Islanders.  If the Rangers can beat Columbus , a Lightning win would put the Rangers seven points out of the wild card.

Ranger beat Islanders 2-1 snapping losing streak. dark. Next

Predators @ Hurricanes – The Rangers still need to pass Carolina top make the playoffs.The Hurricanes come to MSG on Tuesday and it would be good for them to be on a bit of a losing streak    Root for the Preds to beat them.

Panthers @ Canucks – Florida is another one of those teams hanging around in the East.  Florida losing doesn’t hurt the Rangers playoff hopes.

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