New York Rangers: Can a road trip fix what’s wrong?

The New York Rangers just concluded a disastrous homestand, losing three of four games that they had to win. They now go on the road hoping to replicate their success from the last trip.

It’s a three game make or break road trip against three teams all as desperate for points as the New York Rangers are.  Dallas, Colorado and Arizona are all in a playoff struggle and will pose a tremendous challenge for the Blueshirts.

The Rangers have found the road to be the cure for all ills.  They haven’t lost a road trip since the beginning of January.  They’ve won nine of their last 10 road games and have used that success to propel themselves into the playoff picture.  They have won 18 of 32 on the road, going 18-12-2 while at home they are 18-16-2, winning only half of their 35 games at Madison Square Garden.

If the trend continues, it has to be a good thing that nine of their last 14 games are on the road.  While this may be a bizarre situation, this has been a bizarre season for the Rangers.

Up first, the Dallas Stars

Dallas appears to be destined to finish third in the Central Division.  They are six points behind Colorado and six points ahead of the Predators.   They are 0-3-2 in their last five games and have won only three games since mid-February.  So, despite their comfortable place in the standings, they need to get back on a winning track to keep pace with the competition.

They have played better at home going 4-2-1 in their last seven home games.  They have the 13th best home record in the NHL at 19-11-3.  They have scored only seven goals in their last five games and have been shut out in two straight so they are ripe for a Rangers road win.

The Rangers lost their only game to Dallas this season 5-3.  It was the game that Henrik Lundqvist made his second straight start after shutting out Detroit, allowed four goals and was pulled for Alexandar Georgiev.

Next, the Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche are in a fight to finish first in the Central Division.  With 88 points they are two points behind the St. Louis Blues.   As it looks like Dallas will not catch up to them, it is either first or second place for Colorado.  The Avs have lost their last two games after winning seven games in a row.

They haven’t lost in regulation in their last four games at home and have a 17-9-6 record at the Pepsi Center, good for 17th place in the NHL.    Colorado has two games before their game Wednesday against the Rangers.  They are on the road Sunday in San Jose and Monday in Los Angeles.

The Rangers beat the Avalanche at home, 5-3, in early January.  It will go down in Ranger history as Igor Shesterkin’s debut for the Blueshirts.

Finally, the Arizona Coyotes

Of the three teams the Rangers will face on this road trip, the Coyotes are the most desperate. They are out of the playoff picture with 74 points, two points behind Nashville for the final wild card slot.  Arizona has 13 games left and several of their wild card competitors have games in hand so this will be as much of  must-win for the Yotes as it will be for the Blueshirts.

The Coyotes have been muddling along with a .500 record going 5-5 over their last ten games. That won’t cut it in the crazy Western Conference playoff race.

Arizona is 17-12-4 at home, 20th best in the NHL and have won four of their last five games at the Gila River Arena.

Before they meet the Rangers Saturday night, the Coyotes have a road game in Winnipeg on Monday and host Vancouver on Thursday.

The Rangers lost in overtime to the Coyotes in October, dropping a 3-2 decision with Georgiev in goal.  Tony DeAngelo had two goals for New York, but Christian Dvorak won the game 1:04 into the OT.

Predictions?

No predictions when it comes to this team.  They’ve been really good on the road, but this latest stretch has been troubling.  The loss to the Devils was a major warning sign about the mental discipline of this young Rangers team.

The only thing we know for sure is the Rangers need to come out of this trip with a minimum of four points.  We shall see.