New York Rangers: The playoff picture and draft lottery look

As we near the NHL Trade Deadline, the New York Rangers are still in the playoff picture.  While the odds are greater that the Blueshirts will be contending for a lottery pick it’s time to start tracking both scenarios.

Last season we featured “The Playoff Picture” and “The Lottery Look” as daily features on Blueline Station.  Eventually, when the playoffs became impossible, the lottery became for the focus for the New York Rangers.  The good news is it is too early for that.

The playoff picture

The mountain the Rangers have to climb to make the playoffs is a steep one and many would consider it a pipe dream.  However, in the modern NHL, anything can happen.  With their win over Toronto, the Rangers are now nine points out of the wild card with a game in hand.

The Rangers have 23 regulation wins, the new tiebreaker instead of wins in regulation or overtime.  That’s fifth most in the East and second most in the Metropolitan Division.  A lot is made of the fact that the Rangers have to pass four teams to get into the wild card, but they have games in hand on all of the teams including three on Montreal.  Of course, games in hand mean nothing unless you win them, but that is always possible.

Another positive for New York is that they have a 19-12-2 record against Eastern Conference rivals with 19 of their remaining 30 games are against Eastern foes. If they can keep that up, those “four point games” could propel them into a better position.  It won’t be easy.

The standings

Atlantic Div.  GP    W-L-OTL      PTS     RW
Boston            55      33-10-12    78      29
Tampa             53      33-15-5       71      28
Florida             52      29-17-6       64      24
Met Div.         GP      W-L-OTL     PTS    RW
Washington   54      36-13-5       77     27
Pittsburgh      52      33-14-5       71     22
Columbus       54      29-16-9       67     22
Wild Card       GP       W-L-OTL     PTS   RW
Islanders        51      30-15-6       66       19
Philadelphia  53      29-17-7       65       20
Contenders   GP      W-L-OTL      PTS   RW
Carolina           53     30-20-3        63     21
Toronto            54     28-19-7        63     22
Montreal         55     25-23-7        57     17
Rangers           52     26-22-4       56     23
Buffalo             53     23-23-7       53     17
Ottawa            53     18-24-11     47     14
New Jersey     52     18-24-10    46      13
Detroit             54     12-38-4       28     10

The key games tonight

It’s a busy night in the NHL with 12 games on the schedule. There are none of the proverbial four point games so rooting choices are simple.

Red Wings at Sabres – The Wings stink, but root for an upset and a tough game for Buffalo who comes to New York tomorrow.  The Sabres have been in a death spiral and their fans are ready to revolt.  A loss to Detroit at home could be devastating. Go Wings!
Ducks at Canadiens – Anaheim has won two in a row, but Montreal has been hot.  Root for the Ducks.  Montreal is the only contender in the East with a losing record at home.
Golden Knights at Panthers – Vegas is slumping badly while the Panthers are hot so hope the Knights rebound.  Florida has one of the best home records in the NHL so it won’t be easy.
Kings at Islanders – Root for an unlikely upset by Los Angeles.  The Kings have already started their sell off with the trade of Jack Campbell and Kyle Clifford to Toronto.
Devils at Flyers – Philly has won seven of ten while the Devils have been stumbling.  An upset is needed.
Hurricanes at Coyotes – Two desperate teams fighting for playoff spots…a tough game, but root for the home team. Keep your eyes on the Hurricanes goaltending situation in case there is any truth to the Lundqvist to Carolina rumors.