New York Rangers: A great win doesn’t help the lottery race
By Steve Paulus
The New York Rangers jumped back up in the lottery standings again with the win in Buffalo. After spending one night 8th from the bottom, they are back at 11th worst.
As the Lose for Hughes sweepstakes continues, any wins by the New York Rangers will have a negative impact on their lottery hopes. The good thing is that their lottery rivals are winning as well.
The Lottery Look
Although the Rangers moved to 11th worst in the league with 58 points the lottery race is incredibly close. The second worst record in the is owned by the New Jersey Devils with 52 points. The 13th worst team in the league is the Philadelphia Flyers with 59 points. Only seven points separate 12 teams. The lottery race can belong to anyone and will inevitably go down to th wire.
The Devils did the Rangers a favor with a 5-4 overtime win over Minnesota. New Jersey is still one spot from the worst in the league, but with the win, they kept pace with New York.
The two teams worse than the Rangers that lost were the Edmonton Oilers and the Anaheim Ducks. The Oilers lost to the Hurricanes 3-1. Both are lottery teams, but Carolina is only one point out of the wild card. The Oilers dropped five points below the Rangers.
The Ducks reverted to their losing ways, shut out by the Bruins 3-0. Just like the Oilers, they have 53 points, five below the Rangers.
The standings (Worst is first)
Teams GP W-L-OTL PTS ROW
1. Ottawa 57 21-31-5 47 21
2. New Jersey 58 22-28-8 52 21
3. Los Angeles 57 23-28-6 52 21
4. Anaheim 58 22-27-9 53 19
5. Detroit 58 23-28-7 53 21
6. Edmonton 57 24-28-5 53 21
7. Arizona 57 25-27-5 55 23
8. Florida 56 24-24-8 56 21
9. Chicago 58 24-25-9 57 23
10. Colorado 57 23-23-11 57 23
11. Rangers 57 25-24-8 58 19
12. Vancouver 59 26-26-7 59 23
13. Philadelphia 57 26-24-7 59 24
14. Buffalo 57 28-22-7 63 24
15. Carolina 58 30-22-6 66 29
Who to root for
Another busy schedule in the NHL and the Rangers will get to watch their lottery rivals hopefully win. Ten of the 15 lottery teams will be in action.
Red Wings @ Flyers – Although the Flyers are only one point better than the Rangers, it’s more important for Detroit to get wins. Root for the Red Wings.
Blues @ Avalanche – The hottest team in the league takes on one of the coldest. Hopefully Colorado can win at home. They are only one point behind New York.
Oilers @ Islanders – Edmonton hasn’t been winning so they are slipping behind the Rangers, now five points. Can they beat the Isles?
Senators @ Jets – The worst team in the East versus the best team in the West. Who do you think will win? Maybe miracle will happen.
Maple Leafs @ Coyotes – This will be a tough one for Arizona, but they are at home so they have a chance. Arizona has slipped three points behind the Rangers.
Stars @ Hurricanes – If Carolina can win and the Blue Jackets and Penguins lose, they are out of the Lottery Look and in the wild card.
Blue Jackets @ Blackhawks – Chicago has been on a roll and are one point behind the Rangers. Columbus has lost six out of ten. Chicago has a chance.
Canucks @ Sharks – Vancouver is only one point out of the wild card. They have a lot to play for. Root for them.
Bruins @ Kings – The Rangers need the Kings to win since they are six point behind the Rangers. The Bruins have won four in a row and are challenging the Maple Leafs for second place in the Atlantic. It’s a tough one for Los Angeles.
Next. A six goal night versus the Sabres. dark
The Rangers are back in action on Sunday versus Pittsburgh, one of six games. Six oher lottery teams will be playing.