The Perception that NYR Should Finish in First Place at All Costs is put into Perspective

If you have been reading and watching, then you will know that there is a Hurricane developing right behind NYR.  Take a look, Seeing is Believing.  The New York Rangers are Still in First Place, yet as we speak, they are also in the toughest part of their schedule.  One NYR sneeze or one Ranger trip up, could drop our Blueshirts into Second Place.  Oh, the Horror of it all, or is it?

For most of this season, we have had the pleasure of checking the standings and seeing NYR on Top of the Metro and even tickling #1 overall in the entire NHL.  And I love it.  However, since the NHL Trade Deadline of March 08.24, we have seen all teams tighten the screws.  The under-achievers (Canes/Caps), have picked up their game.  The Tweeners (Phila/NYI/NJ) are trying to decide who they really are and if they want to enter the dance or not. We Perceive the Rangers to be the Best Team in the Metro Division as well as in the Entire NHL, however we can all remember what happened to the First Place Bruins last year in Round 1....ouch.

Trending Article: NYR Enter Their Toughest Part of the Season

The Rangers have had a number of recent bumps and bruises during their toughest part of the schedule. Some folks out there are now seeing the Reality of how fickle all of this really is.  All that hard work put in since September.  The added depth in March.  Then suddenly, it can change with a single hit in the corner of your own zone.  A few injuries to Key Players can change everything.  Thank goodness that GM-Drury had the Perspective, that Depth on D is a must, in order to win the Cup.

Trending Article: NYR Cup Hopes are Pinned to D 4-5-6

NYR Injuries
Lindgren – D March16.24 -DTD -Lower Body
Trouba – D March 06.24 -DTD -Lower
Wheeler – F Feb14.24 -IR – Lower body
Chytil – F Nov01.24 -IR -Upper Body

Trending Article: Can NYR Panarin Really Be MVP We Shall See

I’m sure you have heard this statement before; “that Perception is in the eye of the beholder.”  You believe, what you see, to be true.  Well then, the reality is, since the Trade Deadline, the New York Rangers have …
Beat New Jersey
Beat Carolina- #2 in the Metro Division
Lost to TB
Beat NYI
Lost to Winnipeg- #3 in the Central Division
Beat Boston- #1 in the Atlantic Division
Beat Florida- #1 in the Atlantic Division

The simple eye test (perspective) tells you that the New York Rangers are right in the thick of things in the Metro, as well as in the Eastern Conference.  The Blueshirts have played well recently vs the Avs and Dallas, but have lost to Vegas, and the Canucks in the New Year…Oh, and by the way, this is the 30-year Anniversary of the 1994 New York Rangers Stanley Cup victory over the Vancouver Canucks.  Hey Yogi, it just might be, “déjà vu all over again,” eh.

Trending Article: It's Time for the NYR KIDS to Grow Up and Take Over

Perception vs Reality vs Perspective

Perception: is your interpretation of the world around you. 
NYR based on their record to date, are one of the Best Teams in the NHL

Reality: is the state of things that actually exist.
NYR Injuries can and will play a key role from now until June.

Perspective: is viewing the world from the outside of yourself.
NYR must play a Passionate, Puck-Possession, Low Turnover, Tight Team D game, in order to win it all.

New York Rangers Record as of  March 25.2024.
47-20-4 = 98 pts
1st - in the Metropolitan Division
1st - in Eastern Conference
1st -Tied Overall in NHL

My View from the Cheap Seats    
Section: TV     Row: PVR     Seat: The Couch
There is a Perception out there that the New York Rangers should do everything they can to Win First Place in the Metropolitan Division.  That, and losing the Division Title, would be such a let down heading into Round 1 of the Playoffs. All I need to say is, Remember the Bruins.

The Reality is, they are in First Place as we speak.  Another reality is, they Do Not have to win every game, and could still end up in First Place in the Metro, at the end of the season. It's a Nice to have, not a Gotta have.

Maybe the Perspective is one where, the New York Rangers Focus on each Game as well as the Game Plan and the outcome will naturally play out positive. They should continue to play a Patient, Puck-Possession game, with a solid focus on Team D, and the results will speak for themselves.  Try to keep all NYR players as healthy as possible until the end of the season.  Get all injured players back, healthy, and be ready to go for Round 1 of the playoffs by April 20.2024, (No Matter Who They Play). 

There are still too many permutations and combinations, which need to play out, regarding the standings. No Matter What…No Matter Who…We Will Need Everybody On-board, Pulling Together for 3 Months, in order to Win the Coolest Trophy in All of Sports. Because from my perspective, the Reality is, "That is the Real Banner, We All Want hanging in the rafters.”

Remember Hockey is No Quit in New York.

Quote of the Day:
“All our knowledge has its origins in our Perceptions.”
Leonardo da Vinci – Renaissance Polymath  

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