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New York Rangers: An ugly 4-1 loss to Vancouver

By Steve Paulus

VANCOUVER, BC - MARCH 13: Vancouver Canucks Center Tyler Motte (64) scores a goal on New York Rangers Goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) during their NHL game at Rogers Arena on March 13, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC - MARCH 13: Vancouver Canucks Center Tyler Motte (64) scores a goal on New York Rangers Goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) during their NHL game at Rogers Arena on March 13, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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VANCOUVER, BC – MARCH 13: New York Rangers Right Wing Jesper Fast (17) is tripped up by Vancouver Canucks Defenseman Alexander Edler (23) during their NHL game at Rogers Arena on March 13, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC – MARCH 13: New York Rangers Right Wing Jesper Fast (17) is tripped up by Vancouver Canucks Defenseman Alexander Edler (23) during their NHL game at Rogers Arena on March 13, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Lottery Look

The only consolation was that the loss helped the Rangers stay in seventh place in the lottery standings.  The win moved Vancouver within two points of New York, so the possibility of dropping as low as fifth or sixth still exists.

Chicago won a wild game against Toronto and moved into tenth place, two points better than the Rangers. The Blackhawks jumped out to a 5-0 lead and held on for a 5-4 win as Toronto poured 29 shots on goal in the third period, scoring three times.

In Edmonton, the Oilers let the Rangers down, losing 6-3 to the Devils.  Edmonton remains tied with the Rangers in points along with the idle Buffalo Sabres, but they both hold the tie breaker (ROW’s).  The Devils moved to within eight  points of New York, too much to make up.

The standings (Worst is first)

Teams                    GP      W-L-OTL    PT    ROW
1. Ottawa               70     23-41-6       52     23
2. Detroit                70     24-36-10    58     21
3. Los Angeles      69     25-36-8       58     23
4. New Jersey        71     26-36-9      61     25
5. Anaheim            71      28-34-9      65     25
6.  Vancouver        70     29-32-9       67     26
7. Rangers             70    28-29-13      69    22
8.  Edmonton        70     31-32-7       69    28
9.  Buffalo              69    30-30-9        69     26
10. Chicago           70     31-30-9       71     29
11. Florida             69     30-27-12    72     27
12.  Colorado        70     30-28-12    72     29
13.  Minnesota     70     33-29-8      74     32
14. Philadelphia   69    34-27-8       76     32
15. Montreal         70    37-26-7       81     35

Second East Wild Card Cut Line:  81 points
Second West Wild Card Cut Line:  75 points

Who to root for

Ten games in the NHL on Thursday night with two games of huge interest for the Rangers and a few other games worth noting.

Penguins @ Sabres – The Sabres have the same number of points as the Rangers and this is a game in hand. Pittsburgh has been red hot lately and the Sabres have been awful, losing five in a row.  It would be nice if Buffalo could win, but it’s not likely.  Root for the Sabres to upset.

Ducks @ Coyotes – Arizona is now a wild card team and will need to win to stay there.  Anaheim has closed to within four points of the Rangers.   Root for a Ducks win, the best hope for the Rangers to move up in the lottery standings.

Stars @ Wild – Minnesota is desperate to get back into the wild card spot and they are only five points better than the Rangers.  Root for Minnesota to win to widen that gap.

Panthers @ Sharks – Florida is only three points better than the Rangers so root for them to win a tough road game against the best team in the West.  Florida has won two in a row and lost only two out of their last ten.  The Sharks have the same number of losses in their last ten games, but are riding a six game winning streak.

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