High Hopes Down the Stretch

New York, NY. The fact that the New York Rangers (39-24-5) have it in their own hands was not a given for a long time in this turbulent up-and-down campaign. But with 14 games remaining in the regular season, thanks to their current five-game winning streak, the Blueshirts have established themselves in the battle for one of the last playoff spots. The Rangers are currently bouncing back and forth between one of the two wild card spots and third place in the Metropolitan Division.

Still, the playoffs are in jeopardy – and most likely will be until the end of the season. The reason: Nine teams have emerged as worthy of the eight playoff spots this year. The Rangers, currently in seventh place (83 points in 68 games, first wild card berth), are looking up at the Columbus Blue Jackets (84 points in 68 games, third place in the Metropolitan Division) and down at the New Jersey Devils (81 points in 69 games, second wild card spot) and the ninth-placed Carolina Hurricanes (79 points in 70 games).

In addition to the slight lead in points and games over their rivals from New Jersey and Carolina, the Rangers also benefit from the fact that Cale Makar, the Blueshirtsʼ latest injury candidate, has fully recovered. For the important upcoming game at the Boston Bruins, Rangers head coach Jon Cooper has the entire roster at his disposal for the first time in a long time.