The New York Rangers defeated the Minnesota Wild in Overtime, and what it means for the playoff chase in the East is extreme. With how quickly the standings in the Eastern Conference change, defeating the Minnesota Wild in overtime was a massive result for the Rangers, and it puts them outside the playoffs now on points percentage. This could change tomorrow, but that is a conversation when that action starts. For now, let us look at the Rangers situation.
With that win, the Rangers jump back over the Columbus Blue Jackets and tie the Montreal Canadiens for points. However, the Canadiens have a game in hand, and the first tiebreaker is points percentage. However, after the season, everyone will play 82 games, making the first tiebreaker regulation win, which favors the Blueshirts. The Rangers simply need the Canadiens to lose their game in hand. That's tomorrow against Boston, but it is possible.
So, let's look at the numbers. What do they mean? The Carolina Hurricanes officially punched their ticket to the playoffs, meaning the Rangers cannot catch them. But they were never the target. New York has 79 points from 75 games. That is a .527-point percentage. Montreal's is .534. Columbus sits below the Rangers by two points but with two games in hand, which makes them a dangerous competitor for the postseason. New York is in perilous territory.
New York is off until the weekend when they play the New Jersey Devils. Now, the Blueshirts need help from other teams across the NHL. New York knows they do not control their destiny in the East now. However, their opponents will face several tough teams before the season's finale. New York needs the help from other teams in the league to make the postseason, but that does not matter if the Rangers cannot keep winning games.