Why being in the East Division is actually better for the Rangers

Lucky to be in the East

Before the season the common consensus was that the Rangers had the misfortune to end up in the East, clearly the strongest division in the NHL.  What has really happened is that the quality of the teams in the division has meant that no teams will be able to dominate and run away with a playoff spot.

Consider this about the Rangers.   The team that was the fifth best offensive force in the NHL in 2019-20 is now the ninth worst.  The team with the seventh best power play in the NHL last season is now the seventh worst. Mika Zibanejad was the best goal scorer in the NHL last season and he is now one of the worst.   The Rangers have lost Filip Chytil, Jacob Trouba, Kaapo Kakko and Artemi Panarin for extended periods.

If they can get all of their players back, can get  their offense on track and keep their defensive improvement going, with this divisional set up, there is no reason that they cannot be in the hunt for a playoff spot.

In two of their recent wins against Washington and Boston, they scored timely goals, succeeded on the power play and maintained their defensive system.  They won both games by a combined 10-3 score.  They did it without Jacob Trouba, Kaapo Kakko and Filip Chytil in both games and without Panarin in the last win.

It’s hard to believe, but the parity of the East is going to make it more possible for the Rangers to get to the postseason. The Blueshirts have been showing signs that they are for real. It they are, this roller coaster of a season will be one for the ages.