New York Rangers: What three straight wins does to the lottery standings
By Steve Paulus
The New York Rangers have won three in a row for the third time this season. A streak like that could wreak havoc on the Ranger’s entry draft lottery hopes, but once again, upsets were on the table and the Rangers did okay.
On the playoff front, the Blueshirts are now nine points out of the wild card with 49 points to Pittsburgh’s 58 points. They were helped by the Penguins loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. With the win, the Rangers are now eight points ahead of Chicago, the worst team in the league.
The Lottery Look
On the good news front, four lottery teams won and kept pace with New York. On the negative side, four lottery teams lost and fell further behind the Rangers. The Blueshirts themselves remain 10th worst in the league, but they have moved into a tie point-wise with Edmonton and Carolina.
The Ducks beat the Devils 3-2 and moved a little closer to getting back into the playoff picture. Six points now separate the Rangers and New Jersey and the gap is widening.
The Flyers did the unexpected and defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-2 at the Bell Centre. The Flyers remain five points worse than the Rangers, but are distancing themselves from last place.
Florida beat the Predators on the road 4-2. With the win, the Panthers stay three points worse than the Rangers.
In a meeting between two lottery teams, the Blues prevailed over the Senators 3-2. St. Louis remains two points worse than the Rangers while Ottawa is now six points worse.
The two other lottery teams that lost were the Kings (7-1 to Colorado) and the Devils.
The standings (Worst is first)
Teams GP W-L-OTL PTS ROW
1. Chicago 49 16-24-9 41 16
2. Los Angeles 49 19-26-4 42 18
3. Ottawa 49 19-25-5 43 19
4. Detroit 49 18-24-7 43 16
5. New Jersey 48 18-23-7 43 17
6. Philadelphia 48 19-23-6 44 17
7. Arizona 47 21-22-4 46 19
8. Florida 46 19-20-8 46 17
9. St. Louis 47 21-21-5 47 21
10. Rangers 48 21-20-7 49 16
11. Edmonton 48 23-22-3 49 21
12. Carolina 47 22-20-5 49 21
13. Vancouver 49 22-21-6 50 21
14. Anaheim 49 21-19-9 51 18
15. Buffalo 48 24-18-6 54 21
Who to root for
Five games in the NHL on Sunday and they all involve lottery teams.
Capitals @ Blackhawks – The Hawks have the worst record in the NHL. Root for them to upset the visiting Capitals.
Ducks @ Islanders – Anaheim has now won two in a row after losing 12 consecutive games. A win and they could be back in the playoff picture. Root for the Ducks to win.
Red Wings @ Canucks – Detroit has slipped six points worse than the Rangers and the Canucks are only one point better. So, root for Detroit to win in overtime.
Coyotes @ Maple Leafs – Can Arizona beat the powerful Leafs in Toronto. It’s doubtful, but stranger things have happened. Arizona is three points worse than the Rangers. Go Yotes!
Hurricanes @ Oilers – Carolina, Edmonton and the Rangers all have 49 points. Pick’em to win, but get to overtime please.
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There are four days chock full of games while the Rangers are idle. It’s an opportunity for lottery teams to gain ground or pass the Rangers, but they have to win. As tight as the race is, the Blueshirts could lose some of the ground that they have gained with their winning streak. It’s an opportunity the Rangers have no control over.