At 14-12-2 for 30 points, and just four points being the deciding factor between the seventh-place team and leading the Metropolitan Division, this is going to be a big month for the New York Rangers.
Is it time for this team to surge up the standings, and become true playoff contenders? Is it possible, and does this team even deserve it?
Let's talk about it.
Playoffs, Playoffs?
The great Jim Mora spoke those beautiful words regarding his 2001 Indianapolis Colts, but this also relates to the 2025-26 Rangers. It is December, and playoffs are already on the mind of every Blueshirts fan out there. This team can do it.
Add it to your Christmas list.
It will be a tough road, though, as I previously mentioned, the Metropolitan Division is tight. Any of those seven teams in the hunt, plus the Columbus Blue Jackets, which sit at one point behind the Rangers, have a legitimate shot of finishing anywhere in the division. One team could go on a remarkable run, and one team could go on a downward spiral and miss the playoffs entirely.
This is the best possible position for the Rangers to be in, as they realistically control their own destiny. It doesn't matter what every other team does, as long as they keep winning hockey games.
Do they deserve it?
This season has been a turbulent one. The lack of winning at home has really put a bad label on this team, coupled with the constant battles with the injury bug. It has not been as good as the Presidents' Trophy run, but not as bad as last season's horrific campaign.
As of now, if this team has a strong December and climbs the mountain of the Eastern Conference, they absolutely deserve it. But, if this team falters and pulls off a St. Louis Blues-style sneak-in to the playoffs like last season, rattling off a franchise-record 12-game win streak, the Rangers do not deserve a postseason appearance.