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New York Rangers: Super Bowl Sunday Lottery Look

By Steve Paulus |
NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 31: Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers makes a save during the game against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on January 31, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 31: Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers makes a save during the game against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on January 31, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ – JANUARY 31: Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers defends hsi net during the game against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on January 31, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ – JANUARY 31: Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers defends hsi net during the game against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on January 31, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The NHL knows better than to compete with the big game, but there were three matinees today and a little movement in the lottery standings to the benefit of the New York Rangers.

On the playoff front, Montreal won and Boston beat Washington so no change in the standings and the Rangers remain eight points behind idle Columbus.  The Hurricanes had a chance to move up close to a playoff spot, but lost.

The lottery look

Only two lottery teams in action this Sunday and both teams lost (though one team went to overtime).    There was no change in the lottery standings for the Rangers as they are ninth from the bottom, but eight teams are separated by three points.  Now that’s tight.

Edmonton lost to Montreal in overtime 4-3.   They still gained a point and that gives them 51 on the season and that ties them with the Rangers, Anaheim, Arizona and St. Louis.  The Ducks and Oilers have both played 52 games with the other teams (including the Rangers) at 51 so Anaheim and Edmonton  are lower than the Rangers in the standings.

Carolina was the other lottery team in action and they lost to Calgary. They remain just outside the playoff picture with 56 points, five more than the Rangers.

The standings (Worst is first)

Teams                  GP         W-L-OTL     PTS   ROW
1. Ottawa               52       19-28-5      43     19
2. Los Angeles      51       20-27-4      44      19
3. New Jersey        51      20-24-7       47     19
4. Chicago               53      19-24-10    48     19
5. Detroit                53      21-25-7      49      19
6. Florida                49      21-21-8       50     19
7. Edmonton         52       23-24-5      51      21
8. Anaheim            52       21-22-9      51     18
9.  Rangers            51       22-22-7      51      17
10.  Arizona            51      23-23-5       51    21
11.  St. Louis          50      23-22-5        51     23
12. Philadelphia    52      23-23-6       52      21
13. Colorado          52      22-21-8        52      22
14.  Buffalo             51     25-20-6        56     22
15.  Carolina           52      25-21-6       56      24

Who to root for

There are only four games on the NHL schedule for Monday.  The highlight for Ranger fans is the second game of their five game homestand, versus the Los Angeles Kings.   On the playoff front, if the Rangers can win, they will be only six points out of the last wild card spot.  The Kings have 44 points and could move within five points of New York if they win.

Ducks @ Maple Leafs – Anaheim is buried deep in the lottery standings with the same number of points as the Rangers.   They’ve won only two out of their last ten so to ask them to win on the road in Toronto is a lot, but hope that they can do it.

Canucks @  Flyers – Philadelphia is on the move with seven straight wins.  In the process, they have passed the Rangers in the standings, by one point.  Meanwhile, Vancouver has swapped spots with Colorado and are a playoff team.  Root for the Flyers.

Coyotes @ Stars – Arizona has the same number of points as the Rangers and need some points to create a gap. Root for Arizona.

Next. There are no guarantees in free agency. dark

One more quiet night and then the NHL has a full 12 games  schedule on Tuesday.  All four teams tied with 51 points will be in action except the Rangers.

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