The Rangers earned 61 points in their first 52 games. They are very close to the 6 points in 5 games model. When play resumes after the All Star break, they need about 36 points in their last 30 games to lock a playoff berth. I think they can win 16 of their last 30 games. That’s 32 points for a season total of 93.

As we all know, the Rangers missed the playoffs with one point separating them from the Flyers (88 points to the Rangers 87 points). 88 points may have cut it last season. I don’t think 88 will garner a playoff berth this year. The lower echelon teams in the east are currently separated by a mere 12 points, 10th place Florida with 49 points (the team the Rangers lost to last night) and the 6th place Rangers with 61 points.

Of the thirty remaining games, about 11 are against teams lower in the standings then the Rangers. Those are  must win games. That leaves 5 games against equal or better teams that must be taken if the Rangers are to get a sniff at the playoffs. It will be interesting to see how the Rangers perform. Here’s a chart with the remaining games and how I think things will shake out.

Posted under New York Rangers

I’ve seen snipers use the toe drag going one on one against a goalie but never a snow plow. Norway is known for skiers. Hockey players not so much. I’m convinced that Mats Zuccarello-Aasen surely must have some slalom experience after watching his game winning shoot out goal against Dallas tonight.

Lately we have seen some fancy moves in shoot outs, especially spinoramas. But tonight our very own mighty mite slowed himself down and got Lehtonen to commit. Zuccarello buried the puck. Maybe Mats has been watching old video of Michael Nylander. Nylander used to move in, slow down to a crawl and freeze the goaltender, hitting the back of the net before the goalie knew what had happened.

Speaking of goaltenders, Henrik Lundqvist took himself out of position to play the puck and  got burned yet AGAIN! Fortunately for Henrik, he made a pass up ice that Anisimov converted into the game tying  goal. Henrik has an NHL high three assists this season. I have had a record five heart attacks watching him make this same  mistake, coming out of his net at least once a season for the last five years. Still, our King stopped 28 shots by a very skilled team and the Rangers won. I’ll cut him some slack.

Kudos to the Rangers defense and checkers tonight for keeping the Dallas Stars at bay. Dallas is a damn good team, sitting third in the Western Conference. To have gotten one point out of tonight would have been fine. To get the two points is gravy.

Let’s see how tired the Rangers are tomorrow night in St Louis. The Blues stand eight in the Western Conference and should not be taken lightly. JD’s boys shut out the Rangers 2-0 on November 7th at the Garden. Time for the Rangers to return the favor.

Posted under New York Rangers