New York Rangers: Kicking off 2020 in Calgary
By Steve Paulus
The New York Rangers remain in Alberta for the second game of their three game swing through Western Canada, taking on the Calgary Flames.
The New York Rangers and the Calgary Flames have very similar records, but came into the season with very different expectations. The Rangers expected to be better, but still a work in progress. The Flames were coming off a 50 win season that garnered them first place in the Pacific Division, followed by a first round playoff loss to Colorado and they expected to contend for the Stanley Cup.
Some could say that the Rangers are overachieving. They have a 19-16-4 record, good for 42 points. They are seven points out of the wild card with a game in hand. While they are wildly erratic, they have beaten some excellent teams and have lost to some bad ones.
They are coming off one of the wackiest games of the season. On New Year’s Eve they fell behind Edmonton 6-0 only to mount a comeback that got them to within a goal. They couldn’t pull it off, but anyone who stayed home and watched the game was rewarded with an interesting evening.
Calgary has been the epitome of inconsistency. They have a record of 20-17-5 and are one point out of the last wild card spot. They were on a tear from late November into December, winning seven in a row. They’ve gone 2-5-1 in their last eight games and have lost two in a row.
It’s been a rough season for the Flames. They relieved coach Bill Peters of his duties at the end of November after it was revealed that he had used racial slurs when a coach in the AHL and that he had physically abused a player when was coach of the Carolina Hurricanes. Interim coach Geoff Ward has led the team to a 8-5-1 record since taking over.
Missing the playoffs would be a huge disappointment for the Flames and so far, this season has been a challenge.