New York Rangers: A loss, but they win in the lottery race
It was another busy night in the NHL with 14 games with 10 involving lottery teams. As the New York Rangers were off, it was scoreboard watching time. The good news for the lottery race is they slipped a spot and are now tenth from the bottom.
There were no additions or subtractions to the lottery roster, but the playoff race got just a little tighter with Pittsburgh losing its fourth game in a row. In the West, seven teams are within six points of the last wild card team. As for the Rangers, they remain nine points out of the final wild card spot.
The Lottery Look
The Rangers dropped from 11th worst to 10th worst in the NHL. With the Kings getting a point, the Rangers are now seven points better than the worst team in the league. They are now closer to the bottom of the standings than they are to playoff berth. Any doubt that they will be deadline sellers is going away. Here’s what happened tonight:
The Florida Panthers came up with a clutch 5-4 overtime win over the Washington Capitals and jumped from 8th worst to 11th worst, passing the Rangers. They have the same number of points as the Blueshirts, but have played two fewer games.
Arizona beat the Dallas Stars 3-2 and moved to within one point of the Rangers.
Ottawa won their second game in a row, beating the Jets 5-2 and while still in the cellar, now have 47 points and are only seven points worse than the Rangers.
The Kings got a point in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Bruins and they moved within three points of the Rangers.
In a match between two lottery teams, the Flyer got back on the winning track with a 6-2 win over the hapless Anaheim Ducks. With the win, Philadelphia has three points more than the Rangers while Anaheim remained three points worse.
Colorado took the Islanders to overtime before losing 4-3. With the point, the Avalanche have 54 points, same as the Rangers, but have played one more game.
The Red Wings, Oilers and Devils did the Rangers no favors, both losing. New Jersey lost 4-2 to the Wild while Detroit fell to the Sabres 3-1. Buffalo is still a lottery team, but now have 61 points and the Rangers will be hard pressed to pass them in the standings. Edmonton lost to the Sharks 5-2 and remain one point behind New York.
In the late game, the Canucks beat Calgary 4-3 in a shootout so they moved three points ahead of the Rangers. Vancouver has the same number of points as St. Louis, the final wild card team, but have played three more games than the Blues.
The standings (Worst is first)
Teams GP W-L-OTL PTS ROW
1. Ottawa 55 21-29-5 47 21
2. New Jersey 54 20-26-8 48 19
3. Detroit 55 21-27-7 49 19
4. Los Angeles 55 23-27-5 51 21
5. Anaheim 56 21-26-9 51 18
6. Chicago 55 21-24-10 52 21
7. Arizona 55 24-26-5 53 22
7. Edmonton 55 24-26-5 53 22
9. Colorado 55 22-22-10 54 22
10. Rangers 54 23-23-8 54 17
11. Florida 52 23-22-8 54 21
12. Vancouver 56 25-24-7 57 23
13. Philadelphia 55 25-23-7 57 23
14. Buffalo 54 27-20-7 61 24
15. Carolina 55 28-21-6 62 27
Who to root for
Eight games in the NHL on Sunday, including the Rangers taking on the Toronto Maple Leafs. It’s the last game of a five-game homestand and the Blueshirts have only won one game so far. This game won’t be easy either.
Avalanche @ Bruins – Colorado has the same number of points as the Rangers, so it’s important for them to win. Root for the Avalanche.
Hurricanes @ Devils – New Jersey is within six points of the Rangers and that’s without Taylor Hall. Cory Schneider is back from injured reserve so let’s see if the Devils can upset the red hot Hurricanes.
Red Wings @ Blackhawks – Both of these lottery teams have fewer points than New York, so pick your poison. Just hope the game goes to overtime. Chicago leads the league in ovetrime games, so it’s very possible.
Lighting @ Panthers – Florida beat the Capitals. Can they do the same to the Lightning? Let’ hope so. They just passed the Rangers in the lottery standings and they need to stay there.
Jets @ Sabres – Buffalo is out of the playoffs, but a win could put them in a points tie with Pittsburgh. Root for Buffalo.
Next. Looking back at the experience of 1994. dark
The Rangers could see another move in the standings if they lose to Toronto and the Avalanche can get a point. Three more games on Monday, but not of great consequence to the Rangers’ lottery hopes.