New York Rangers: If the season restarts

If the NHL season restarts after a delay, what will that mean for the New York Rangers?

At this stage in the coronavirus outbreak, it is way too early to speculate on whether the NHL season will even resume, but it’s worth looking at what it would to the New York Rangers if the they started playing again.

When the season was suspended, the Rangers were two points out of a playoff spot, two points behind both Carolina and Columbus, but both of those team had two games in hand. That’s a problem no matter what the league decides to do.

The Islanders are one point up on the Blueshirts in the same number of games. You can be sure that they will try to even the playing field so that all teams have a fair shot at the Stanley Cup Playoffs.  That means they won’t just finish the regular season as is and move right into the postseason.

At the very least, they will have to try to have all teams play the same number of games in order to qualify for the playoffs and it’s very possible that they will try to play the last three weeks of the season to qualify for the playoffs.

As for the playoffs, they could choose to abbreviate the playoffs to a best of five format for the first three rounds with the Finals a best of seven.   It all depends on a number of factors including when the season is resumed and  availability of arena space.

Despite have fewer games left than their primary competitors, the Rangers would benefit by getting Chris Kreider back from his fractured foot.  His was the team’s only major injury,  but resuming play in late April would mean the team would be completely healthy.

Other injuries

The bad news is the same would apply to Carolina and Columbus.  The Blue Jackets have been the hardest hit by injuries with eight players out.  A late April resumption of play could mean that they could get Seth Jones and Oliver Bjorkstrand back with Cam Atkinson definitely back.  That would be significant for their playoff hopes.

The Hurricanes have also been hit by a number of significant injuries.  it’s doubtful that Dougie Hamilton or Brett Pesce could return, but Sami Vatanen, Ryan Dzingel and James Reimer will all be back.

There’s also the matter of momentum. The Rangers had been off and on when it comes to momentum though their play over the last eight weeks was positive. Columbus and Carolina were similarly inconsistent though the Hurricanes had been playing better lately.

As for the Islanders, they had no major injuries, but had lost seven games in a row, so changing that mojo is a positive for them.

It has to be assumed that all teams will start on an equal footing with any momentum gone.

One thing is certain, there won’t be an exhibition season.  In all likelihood, teams will play scrimmages or possibly play against their AHL teams.  The bottom line is the teams best prepared to resume action will do best.

That won’t be easy as all players have been ordered to return home and the teams will not be allowed to permit their players to work out or skate at team facilities.  That won’t prevent individual players from organization their own informal workout regimen as they did during the lockout.

So, if the league resumes play in late April the improvement  for the Rangers will be the return of Chris Kreider.  Considering that they had won nine of ten with him in the lineup and only two of seven after his injury, that cannot be considering insignificant.

The worst scenario

The only other factor that has been mentioned is ending the league ending the regular season and determing the standings and playoff eligibility buy points percentage. That would be a way of ranking the teams by the percentage of points gained in games that they have played up until the suspension of the season.

In this scenario, the Rangers lose out completely. They have a worse point percentage than Caroline, Columbus, Florida and the Islanders. Ironically, if you take overtime points out of the equation, the Rangers finish ahead of all of those team.

The least that the Rangers want is a chance.  With Igor Shesterkin in goal and Chris Kreider back in action, they Rangers have to have  decent chance of making the postseason.  Finishing the regular season is the only way to accomplish that.