Blue Line Station
Fansided

5 Observations about the New York Rangers after a hiatus

By Steve Paulus

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 12: Filip Chytil #72 of the New York Rangers celebrates his game winning overtime goal against the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden on December 12, 2022 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Devils 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 12: Filip Chytil #72 of the New York Rangers celebrates his game winning overtime goal against the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden on December 12, 2022 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Devils 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 05: Vitali Kravtsov #74 of the New York Rangers holds back Nathan Walker #26 of the St. Louis Blues during the first period at Madison Square Garden on December 05, 2022, in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 05: Vitali Kravtsov #74 of the New York Rangers holds back Nathan Walker #26 of the St. Louis Blues during the first period at Madison Square Garden on December 05, 2022, in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

What did you expect?

I also took the time to read many of the in-game threads with comments from our readers and the passion of the Rangers fan base is clear.  It’s also obvious that this team has been exceedingly frustrating for many, resulting in a constant stream of negativity especially when things are going wrong.  While I get it, the negativity gets tiresome and it is always easier to predict failure than success.  With only one of 32 teams getting to the Holy Grail, to predict that the Rangers won’t make it is the easy way out.

It’s worth noting that this morning, 30 games into the season, the Rangers have a tenuous hold on the last wild card spot.  They are there despite a pathetic 6-6-4 home record, offset by a sparkling 9-4-1 road record.

Did anyone really expect that the Rangers would waltz into the postseason?  Going into the season there are five solid contenders for the four Metropolitan Division playoffs post in Carolina, Pittsburgh, Islanders, Washington, and the Rangers.  Make that six with the impressive play of the Devils.  That’s six solid contenders for four spots.  That means two good teams won’t make it and the Rangers could be one of them.

Speaking of the Devils, let’s give a Bronx cheer to the pundits who predicted that New Jersey and Boston would be wannabes this season (me included).  They only boast the two best records in the NHL.  So much for predictions. And again, right now, the Rangers are in the playoffs.

Home/Editorials