Rangers playoff picture: One point closer to the wild card

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:  73 points
Second West Wild Card Cut Line:  68 points
Playoff  teams in italics.