The Rangers look to wipe that bad taste from their mouth after Tuesday's debacle against LA when they face the Senators tonight. Ottawa, riding a goaltender story that seems to have come from central casting, is 9-1 in their 10 games to move into the eighth seed in the East. The contest might be a preview of a first round match up, though that obviously remains to be seen.
It is a game of goaltenders who no one would have expected when the year started for each to be a 'starter.' The run for Cam Talbot, who has been brilliant with Henrik Lundqvist out, is almost at an end with Lundqvist serving as the back up tonight. For Ottawa, Andrew 'the Hamburglar' Hammond has saved their season since taking over for the injured Craig Anderson. As Anderson has had another setback with his hand injury and Hammond has been so good, no change is happening nor would I expect one with Hammond playing so well.
Lundqvist will be the backup and is active for the first since February 2. He went through a full practice yesterday and should play one of the two games this weekend. Regardless of what happens tonight, even considering him for both games would be foolish, given he is still easing his way back. However, if NY lost tonight and Lundqvist played and performed well Saturday against Boston, it wouldn't shock me to see if he starts Sunday against Washington.
On the other injured front, the hope is that Martin St. Louis, out since March 15 with a knee injury, will skate today. Given the date and fact he has yet to skate, I find it unlikely he will be back in that 10-14 day window originally projected. If he can return in early-April, that would be a win-win for both sides. Kevin Klein should be examined shortly and hopefully has progressed enough to grip a stick. The original estimated timeframe for his return was 3-4 weeks, the outside part of which looks feasible. Again, if he can be back right before the end of the regular season and get a few games, that too would be optimal.
Adam Herman has a great blog on the recent struggles of Rick Nash (http://www.blueshirtbanter.com/2015/3/25/8287615/what-is-wrong-with-rick-nash). I know some are starting to think that his swoon might portent ill tidings for the future but it's a bit premature for it. It's a slump plain and simple, driven partially by shooting percentage regression to the norm and possibly due to line combinations. Nash is still doing similar things to what he did before but either not getting rewarded or his line in itself is not carrying play as before. I would hold off going crazy over it.
Ottawa's streak has rightly centered largely on Hammond. What might be being ignored is how well Mike Hoffman and Mark Stone have played. Those two young forwards have driven the team's offense, with each of them on separate lines. Plus, Kyle Turris has elevated his play recently, looking like a true #1 center, replacing the departed Jason Spezza. Then when you add in Mike Zibanejad, it's no real surprise how well Ottawa has played and why they would be a dangerous first round matchup.
The Rangers can clinch a playoff spot tonight in one of two ways:
The Rangers beat the Senators in any fashion tonight AND Boston loses to Anaheim in any fashion.
The Rangers lose to Ottawa in OT or a shootout AND Boston loses to the Ducks in regulation.
Just get a win tonight and then worry about the playoffs. With Boston and Washington up next and a heavy schedule upcoming, the goal in each game just has to be focus on that contest and then worry about the next one. Playoffs and the team's seeding will take of itself as long as they keep winning.