It was a productive night for the New York Rangers as they gained ground in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
The New York Rangers moved to within five points of a wild card spot with 68 points to the Blue Jacket’s 73.  Although there were only three games involving Eastern Conference teams, he standings were jumbled once again.
The playoff picture
The Carolina Hurricanes dropped out of the playoffs with their loss to the Rangers, combined with the Islanders 4-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings. The Isles leapfrogged Carolina and Columbus and moved in the first wildcard spot.
Although Columbus is still in a playoff position, they learned today that their top goal scorer, Oliver Bjorkstrand, will be out the rest of the season with a broken ankle. It’s the latest in a series of debilitating injuries and it looks impossible for the Blue Jackets to keep up the pace they need to compete for a playoff spot.
Boston won, defeating the Flames 4-3 to move five points ahead of Tampa in the battle for first place in the Atlantic Division.
The standings
Atlantic Div. GP  W-L-OTL   PTS   RW
Boston      62   39-11-12   90   34
Tampa       61   40-16-5    85   32
Toronto      62   32-22-8    72   24
Met Div.     GP   W-L-OTL   PTS  RW
Pittsburgh   59   37-16-6    80   26
Washington  60   37-17-6    80   28
Philadelphia  61   34-20-7    75  24
Wild Card    GP    W-L-OTL   PTS  RW
Islanders    60   34-20-6    74   23
Columbus    62   30-19-13   73   23
Contenders  GP   W-L-OTL   PTS  RW
Carolina     60   34-22-4    72   24
Florida       61   32-23-6    70   27
Rangers      60   32-24-4    68   28
Montreal     63   28-27-8    64   17
Buffalo       60   26-26-8    58   20
New Jersey   60   23-27-10   56  17
Ottawa       61   21-29-11   53  16
Detroit       63   15-44-4    34   12
Key games Saturday
There’s a busy schedule of 11 games today, with the highlight the Rangers home game against the San Jose Sharks. There are four games of crucial importance to the Rangers, besides their own.
Jets @ Flyers – This is a matinee so we will know the result early. With 75 points, the Flyers are firmly in third place in the Metropolitan Division, but are still on ly seven points ahead of the Rangers and the Blueshirts have a game in hand. Go Jets!
Hurricanes @ Maple Leafs – It’s more important for the Hurricanes to lose so root for the Leafs, tepidly. The one thing the Rangers do not want is for the game to go to overtime. .A Rangers win and a Canes loss and they will trail Carolina by only two points.
Blue Jackets @ Predators – Columbus is sitting in the wild card the Rangers crave, ahead by five points. The Rangers have two games in hand so they could be in a virtual theoretical tie. Root for the Preds.
Panthers @ Golden Knights – Florida has two points more than the Rangers and have played one more game. The Rangers definitely need to pass Florida if they are to make the playoffs so root for Vegas to win at home.
The lottery look
Let’s not even talk about the draft lottery. We will continue providing the standings until they become relevant or irrelevant to the Rangers.
The standings (Worst is first)
Teams         GR   W-L-OTL    PT  RW
1. Detroit       63   15-44-4    34   12
2. Los Angeles  61   22-34-5    49   16
3. Ottawa       61   21-29-11   53  16
4. New Jersey   60   23-27-10   56  17
5. Anaheim     61   24-30-7    56  17
6. San Jose     60   26-30-4    56   20
7. Buffalo       60   26-26-8    58   20
8. Chicago      61   27-26-8    62   19
9. Montreal     63   28-27-8    64   17
10. Minnesota  60  29-24-7    65   25
11. Nashville   60  29-23-8    66   24
12. Arizona      64  30-26-8    68  23
13. Calgary      62  31-25-6    68  21
14. Rangers    60   32-24-4    68   28
15. Winnipeg    62  32-25-5    69  25
16. Florida      61   32-23-6    70   27
17. Vancouver   59  32-21-6    70  25
18. Toronto      62   32-22-8    72   24
19. Vegas       62   32-22-8    72   25
20 Edmonton    61  32-22-7     72   27
21. Carolina     60   34-22-4     72   24
22. Columbus    62  30-19-13   73  23
23. Islanders    60   34-20-6    74   23
24. Philadelphia  61   34-20-7    75  24
25. Dallas       60   35-20-6    75   24
26. Colorado     60   35-18-7    77   32
Second East Wild Card Cut Line:Â 73 points
Second West Wild Card Cut Line:Â 68 points
Playoff teams in italics.