New York Rangers: The NHL gets back to action…with lottery implications

Finally, a busy night in the NHL.  There were a number of games that had an impact on the New York Rangers lottery hopes.

First, in looking at the playoff picture, nothing changed for the Rangers.  They are still eight points behind the idle Columbus Blue Jackets.   Pittsburgh won after their big trade with Florida tightening the race in the Metropolitan Division.  The Islanders salvaged a point with their shootout loss to the Lightning.  The Rangers can only hope for losses by the teams currently in the playoff picture.  Tonight, that didn’t happen.

The Lottery Look

The lottery race got a little tighter as there were big wins for some of the teams below the Rangers in the standings.  The Rangers remain 12th from the bottom with 51 points, but wins by Chicago and Detroit made the race to the bottom a little closer.

The Sabres really needed to win to get back in the playoff picture and they were thrashed by the Blackhawks 7-3.  Patrick Kane score twice and now has 31 goals for the season.  With the win, Chicago moves from 2nd worst to 4th worst and with 46 points, are only five points behind the Rangers.

Detroit came through big time with a 3-2 overtime win over Toronto.  That gives the Red Wings 47 points, only four behind the Blueshirts.   Detroit moved up a slot from 4th worst to 5th worst.

Two teams the Rangers needed to win, lost as expected.  Florida dropped a 4-1 decision to the Predators and the Penguins overwhelmed the Senators 5-2.   Florida remains three points behind the Rangers and Ottawa remains cemented in last place overall, still eight points below New York.

The last lottery team in action was the Carolina Hurricanes and they came up big against the Vegas Golden Knights with a 5-2 win.  That give Carolina 56 points, five more than the Rangers.  They are tied with Buffalo and are only three points out of the last wild card spot.

The standings (Worst is first)

Teams                  GP         W-L-OTL     PTS   ROW
1. Ottawa               51       19-27-5      43     19
2. Los Angeles      50       20-26-4      44      19
3. New Jersey        50      19-24-7       45     18
4. Chicago               52      18-24-10    46     18
5. Detroit                52       20-25-7      47      18
6. Florida                48      20-21-8       48      18
7. Edmonton         50       23-24-3      49      21
8.  St. Louis            49       22-22-5      49      22
9.  Philadelphia     51       22-23-6      50      20
10. Arizona            50       23-23-4      50      21
11. Anaheim          51       21-21-9      51     18
12.  Rangers          50       22-21-7      51     17
13. Vancouver       51      23-22-6       52      22
14.  Buffalo            51       25-20-6      56     22
15.  Carolina          51       25-20-6      56      24

Who to root for

It’s an even busier Saturday night with 13 games on the NHL schedule.   The Rangers take on the Lightning in a nationally televised game (on NBC, not the sports channel).   After a tough game against the Islanders, the Rangers have to hope that Tampa will be a little hung over.  As for the other lottery teams, 13 out of 15 will be in action so there will be some movement in the standings.

Oilers @ Flyers – This is a tough one to call.  The Oilers are below the Rangers (two points) as are the Flyers (one point).   The Rangers cannot lose if either team wins, but if the game goes to overtime that would be the best scenario. The Flyers are going for their 7th win in a row.

Devils @ Canadiens – The Devils are the third worst team in the league with 45 points.  A New Jersey win helps the Rangers’ lottery hopes and their playoff aspirations.

Golden Knights @ Panthers – Derick Brassard should make his debut for the Panthers and we should root for an upset over Vegas.  It won’t be easy.  Florida is three points behind the Rangers.

Red Wings @ Senators – The Senators are so inept, it’s tempting to just concede the worst record in the league to them.  Meanwhile, the Red Wings have improved and are only four points shy of the Rangers. It’s probably a better idea to root for Detroit, but in overtime.

Kings @ Islanders – Los Angeles is mired in second to last place and are seven points behind the Rangers.  Hope for a letdown by the Islanders after their huge game against Tampa. The Kings are the first of the lottery teams to wave the white flag by dealing Jake Muzzin, so it may be too much to ask for.

Blues @ Blue Jackets – St. Louis has been playing better and are now only two points behind the Rangers.  A Blues win helps the Rangers in the lottery race and the playoff picture. Columbus is in the midst of a four game losing streak, root for the Blues to make it five.

Blackhawks @ Wild – Chicago beat the Sabres, can they do the same to Minnesota?  Let’s hope so, root for Chicago.

Canucks @ Avalanche – Vancouver sits only one point ahead of the Rangers.  They really need to win this game. Colorado is in a freefall, so it may happen.

Ducks @ Jets – Anaheim has slipped below the Rangers in the standings, after being a playoff team all season.  Beating Winnipeg on the road will be a tough task, but the Rangers really need them to do it.

Coyotes @ Sharks – Arizona is only one point worse than the Rangers.  San Jose is one of the top teams in the league and their game has gelled.  Root for the Yotes to pull off the upset on the road.

Superbowl Sunday is traditionally a quiet day in the NHL and this year there are only three games, all matinees.   The big night for the NHL and the Lottery Look is Saturday.