The Rangers have been playing great hockey over the last two months, and despite a 3 game winning streak remain a long shot to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference. Of course don’t tell them that as they are going to make a run for it despite the odds.
The Odds
Money Puck has the Rangers with only an 11% chance of making the post season and it’s hard to argue against. David Quinn’s charges sit 5th in the Wild Card Race with 62 points. Both the Blue Jackets and Flyers have 71 points with the Rangers holding 2 games in hand on each. Also ahead of them are the Canes at 67 points (no games in hand) and the Panthers with 66 points (1 game in hand). Simply put, the Rangers would need to play way above .500 the rest of the year to make it.
Playoff Statement Game
The Rangers will face the Jackets tonight in Columbus and a loss would all but derail their slim hopes. This would be no small task with both Shesterkin (LBI) and Staal (Flu) nursing issues. Additionally, if they win tonight they will have done something they haven’t all season, win 4 games in a row.
For David Quinn he and his team are believing. This entire week he’s been talking about battling and not quitting. When it comes to the trade deadline he’s making sure there’s no distractions and the singular focus is about winning and making the playoffs.
Just don’t tell them the odds, they would ignore them anyway.
Pre-Game Notes
- All-Time: 19-16-1-3 (8-6-1-3 at home; 11-10-0-0 on the road)
- 2019-20: Tonight’s game is the third of four meetings between the Rangers and Blue Jackets, and the second of two meetings between the two teams at Columbus. The Rangers have posted a 1-1-0 record (0-1-0 at home; 1-0-0 on the road), and the Blue Jackets won the last meeting between the two teams, 2-1, on Jan. 19 at MSG.
- The Rangers have earned at least one point in 14 of their last 22 games against the Blue Jackets, dating back to Jan. 16, 2015 (12-8-2 record over the span). New York has also earned at least one point in four of its last six contests against Columbus (2-2-2 record).
- Artemi Panarin – 6 GP, 5-3-8 – Panarin has posted a multi-point game in three of six career contests against the Blue Jackets, including a multi-goal game in two of those contests.
Notes provided by New York Rangers PR Dept.
