New York Rangers: Another OT, another loss as Edmonton wins 3-2

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EDMONTON, AB – MARCH 11: Josh Currie #43 of the Edmonton Oilers takes a shot on goaltender Alexandar Georgiev #40 of the New York Rangers during the second period at Rogers Place on March 11, 2019 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images) /

The Lottery Look

Sometimes NHL hockey is inexplicable. Arizona had one of its biggest games of the year. A Coyotes win and a Wild loss would put them into the wild card. Instead, they are blown out by the Blackhawks 7-1. A Colorado win combined with a Wild loss would have put the Avalanche into a tie for the final wild card spot. Instead, they lose at home 3-0 to the Hurricanes. Minnesota desperately needed a win to hold on to the wild card, but were shut out 3-0 by the Sharks in their home rink. There is no explanation.

As for the Rangers’ lottery hopes, even though they picked up a point, they dropped to 7th worst as they were passed by Chicago and Edmonton. All three teams have 69 points in 69 games, but the Rangers have the fewest regulation or overtime wins.

In other games, the Flyers beat the Senators 3-2 and moved to within three points of a wild card spot. They are also seven points ahead of the Rangers, so the Blueshirts probably don’t have to fear them dropping.

The standings (Worst is first)

Teams GP W-L-OTL PT ROW
1. Ottawa 70 23-41-6 52 23
2. Detroit 69 24-35-10 58 21
3. Los Angeles 69 25-36-8 58 23
4. New Jersey 69 25-35-9 59 24
5. Anaheim 70 27-34-9 63 24
6. Vancouver 69 28-32-9 65 25
7. Rangers 69 28-28-13 69 22
8. Chicago 69 30-30-9 69 28
9. Edmonton 69 31-31-7 69 28
10. Buffalo 68 30-29-9 69 26
11. Florida 69 30-27-12 72 27
12. Colorado 70 30-28-12 72 29
13. Arizona 69 34-30-5 73 30
14. Philadelphia 69 34-27-8 76 32
15. Montreal 69 36-26-7 79 34

Second East Wild Card Cut Line: 79 points
Second West Wild Card Cut Line: 74 points

Who to root for

Eight games on the schedule Tuesday night. Five games involve lottery teams and Ranger fans should really be concerned with the games involving Anaheim, Buffalo and Arizona.

Predators @ Ducks – The Ducks are in fifth place, six points worse than the Rangers. They have to win this game if the Blueshirts have any hope of catching them.

Coyotes @ Blues -Arizona is only four points better than New York. A Coyotes win would help widen that gap.

Stars @ Sabres – There are four teams with 69 points including the Rangers. Buffalo is the fourth and a win would push them two points better than New York. The Stars have a lot to play for, but root hard for the Sabres to win.

Devils @ Flames – One of the worst teams in the league vs. one of the best. The Devils are firmly ensconced in the bottom four and should stay there.

Red Wings @ Canadiens – Montreal must win to get back into the wild card. The Red Wings are the second worst team in the NHL. This will be a fun game to watch, but of little consequence to the Rangers.

Next. The disappointment of Libor Hajek's injury. dark

With the Canucks only four points worse than the Rangers, Wednesday’s game in Vancouver looms large as a four point lottery game. If the Rangers play the way they did in Edmonton, Vancouver will be hard pressed to win. All eyes in the NHL will be on this game as it could be the professional debut of Quinn Hughes, first round draft pick who just signed his ELC. He is the brother of the consensus top pick in this June’s draft, Jack Hughes.

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