The Rangers, who welcome back Mats Zuccarello after he sat out Tuesday’s game, take on the Islanders tonight at the Barclays Center. The Blueshirts are in a new house of horrors, as their issues in Montreal have transferred to Brooklyn. The Islanders have won all five games against their Subway rivals at their new home while the Rangers are just 1-8-2 in their last 11 contests versus the Isles. In addition, Jaroslav Halak is the Rangers’ own personal kryptonite, having won seven of eight against New York with a 2.09 goals against average and .944 save percentage.
I ran this yesterday, but didn’t get a response, so including it again today:
I am debating on how best to handle the off-season. Thinking of a couple of ideas but wanted your take. I could do the Should I Stay or Should I Go like several years ago, incorporating a poll as well as my proposal on New York’s direction. Another possible option is grades for each player. In addition, salary projections for the restricted free agents are in the cards. But let me know what you are thinking. This is possibly hyperbole, because I have said it before, but this may be the biggest and most important off-season for the Blueshirts, as an A grade may very well play a big role on what transpires the next five or so years.
As you will see below, this game means something for both teams in terms of lottery placement. The spread between the seventh and 10th spot doubles the chances at earning a top selection in the draft. For that reason alone, it’s a big game. Factor in that this could be John Tavares’ last home game and you have a major sideline story, which could be the primary one, at least from the Islanders’ perspective. Both teams are playing out the string. The Rangers, with Henrik Lundqvist between the pipes, take on Philly on Saturday in a game that might have major playoff ramifications for the Flyers, as it could mean a first or second wild card spot or possibly result in the team missing the postseason overall, depending on what happens to Florida in their games. The Panthers also have a make up game Sunday against the Bruins, which could mean everything or nothing to both teams, who also play tonight and Florida faces Carolina on Saturday. For the Bruins, first place in the division and conference could be on the line dependent on if Tampa wins their contests Friday against Buffalo and Saturday versus Carolina and if Boston can defeat Florida tonight or Ottawa on Saturday.
Here is the continuing run down for the last 16 games of the season for New York, who fell to 34-37-9 on the season with the loss yesterday. After losing to Winnipeg 3-0 on March 6, Tampa 5-3 on March 8 and Florida 4-3 in a shootout March 10, New York defeated Carolina 6-3 on the 12th and Pittsburgh 4-3 in overtime March 14. St. Louis defeated New York 4-3 on March 17 and the Rangers fell 5-3 Columbus (March 20) and Philly 4-3 on March 22 before defeating Buffalo 5-1 last Saturday, New York lost 4-2 to Washington on Monday at MSG and 3-2 Wednesday. They fell 7-3 to Tampa on Friday (last home game) and defeated Carolina 2-1 on Saturday to close out March. In April, New York lost 5-2 to the Devils and have contests against the Islanders, important for draft lottery placement, and Flyers, all on the road.
With the final few games of the season upon us, the Rangers sit in 22nd with 77 points in 80 games. With their comeback win Wednesday over St. Louis, Chicago now has 76 points in 80 games and in 23rd place. Tonight, the Rangers face the Isles, who have 76 points, also in 80 games and are in 24th place. Edmonton is in 25th with 74 points also in 80 games. The Oilers have one more win than Chicago while the Islanders now sit tied with Chicago with each one behind Edmonton. It’s two points to Detroit in 26th. Carolina is in 21st with 81 points in 80 games while Calgary has 82 points in the same amount of contests and sits 20th in the standings, but the Isles have their first round pick from the Travis Hamonic deal. Tonight besides Rangers-Islanders, Edmonton faces Las Vegas and Detroit takes in Montreal. Friday, it’s Chicago-St. Louis again. Saturday, Rangers-Flyers, Blackhawks-Jets, Islanders-Red Wings and Oilers-Canucks all will factor into the final standings.
I should have some form of a recap blog up Sunday, but will be working on my overall playoff preview for Rotowire. The blog therefore likely will be brief. The future blogs will depend on the response to my questions above. Hopefully, and I hate writing this, but come Saturday night, the Blueshirts are in the seventh or eighth spot for the lottery.
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