The New York Rangers' playoff hopes are hanging by a thread. They're looking for as much help on the out-of-town scoreboard as possible, and today's games are essential. With many of Blueshirt's rivals for the final wild-card spot in the East in action today, this could be a big day in the postseason chase in the Eastern Conference. New York hopes for some results to fall their way tonight, and they could get them.
Right off the bat, the Florida Panthers and the Montreal Canadiens play again tonight. The home and home series team shifts to the Bell Center in Montreal. If the Panthers lose to the Canadiens again, the Habs will be two points up on the Rangers and cleanly alone in the second wild-card spot. However, if the Canadiens lose in regulation, they will have played the same number of games as the Rangers, meaning their points percentage will be the same, and they'll fall below the Blueshirts on regulation wins.
Elsewhere, the Columbus Blue Jackets face off against the Nashville Predators. This is another massive game in the race for the postseason, as the Rangers can be caught and overtaken by the Jackets. They are two points back of the Rangers with two games in hand, and the NHL's feel-good story of the year can catch even the Canadiens if results go their way. New York needs the Blue Jackets to find a way to fall tonight to the Nashville Predators.
The New York Islanders are in action against the Tampa Bay Lightning. While they are three points back of the Rangers with a game in hand, losing to the Lightning would put them firmly behind the Rangers, giving the Blueshirts control between the two New York franchises. Tamp Bay is still trying to win the Atlantic Division title, so this should be a competitive fight.
Lastly, the Detroit Red Wings face the red-hot St Louis Blues. Detroit has been a team I've tried to ignore over the last few weeks because they haven't been in the correct form to retain a playoff spot. However, they are only 3 points back of the second wild card and have a game in hand on the Rangers. If they fell tonight, they would be in the same boat as the Islanders. They are a long way behind the eight-ball, and looking like they need to focus on the future rather than this season.