The Rangers look build off their 4-2 win over the Panthers as they take on the Bruins tonight. Boston is 5-3-2 in their last 10, having lost three straight and sit third in the Atlantic. New York has a two-point lead over Pittsburgh for second in the Metro, though the Penguins have a game in hand and own tie-breaker.
Heading into tonight's game, the lines are still jumbled and it's unknown who will be dressing. Kevin Hayes skated in Rick Nash’s spot on Derick Brassard’s line with Jesper Fast in practice Tuesday, fueling the view that he will be scratched Wednesday, as Nash practiced today. Oscar Lindberg, a healthy scratch the previous four games, skated on Eric Staal’s right wing along with Chris Kreider. However, no formal word has been given who will sit, as that won't become known until after warm ups. As of now, JT Miller looks to be on a line with Derek Stepan and Mats Zuccarello while the fourth line of VIktor Stalberg-Dominic Moore-Tanner Glass remains intact.
AV is trying to get Staal going by putting CK20 and his speed on Staal's wing. Staal was playing well with Stalberg and Lindberg, but Stalberg was moved down strengthening the fourth line while Lindberg has been scratched. Hayes needs to be better offensively and defensively, especially with his decision making and awareness on the ice. It's those reasons why Hayes may be the odd man out tonight. I have said a few times that Hayes should be at center and Staal on the wing, which would seem to solve two problems. Staal's placement on the wing could come with Hayes or in place of Fast, creating a big line with Staal and Nash. In addition, it also would create a Miller-Hayes-Fast third line that contains the wing support defensively for Hayes while also resulting in pretty good puck possession.
Starting with 10 games to go, scoreboard watching became the sport inside of the sport. As of the end of games March 22, the Rangers, who have nine games left after their win over Florida on Monday, sit second in the division, 41-24-8 with 90 points. When I do a recap or game preview blog, I will include this at the bottom of the blog. However, on non-game/recap days, I will run this daily since this is a huge topic of conversation and a large component of our focus.
Tuesday, the Flyers lost in a shootout to the Blue Jackets while Tampa Bay defeated Detroit. Neither had a indirect impact on the Rangers, as neither Philly nor Detroit are on the Rangers' tails, though each could have an impact on standings placement down the road when in the post-season, depending on who wins first and second round matchups. Tonight: Direct - Isles-Senators. Indirect (overall standings) - None
Division:
Washington locked up the division and top seed in the conference with their win over Ottawa on March 22.
Pittsburgh- won 6-2 over Washington on 3/20, their sixth straight win. 8-2-0 in last 10, one game in hand, third in the division, two points behind the Rangers. (played 37 games at home, 35 on road, four left at home, six on road)
NYI- lost 4-1 to Philly on 3/21, their third straight defeat. 4-4-2 last 10, two games in hand on the Rangers, five points behind NY, in fourth place in Metro. First Wild Card. (played 34 games at home, 37 on road, seven left at home, four on road)
Philly- blew a 2-0 lead late to Columbus, ultimately falling 3-2 in a shootout Tuesday. 6-2-2 their last 10, one game in hand on the Rangers, seven points behind NY, tied with Detroit but in eighth place in conference as Second Wild Card as they have a game in hand on the Red Wings. (played 36 games at home, 36 on road, five left at home, five on road)
Conference (teams with a reasonable shot at the playoffs. Right now, three team race for division with Detroit looming. Florida has 89 points with nine games left. Tampa Bay has 89 points with nine games left. Boston has 86 with nine games left. Carolina trails Boston by 10 points and has 10 points left, so all but eliminated)
Detroit - lost 6-2 to Tampa on Tuesday, 3/23, after winning two straight and is 4-6-0 in last 10. Two points behind Isles. Tied with Philly but Flyers have a game in hand and are therefore in playoff spot. (played 36 games at home, 37 on road, five left at home, four on road)
Summary: After a disappointing road trip, a solid win at home against the Panthers. still work to be done, as the last five minutes of second and third periods had team playing a shell and back on their heels. The Rangers the past several seasons have been excellent down the stretch, to lock in a spot, they may need to do the same thus year. Upcoming schedule is no cake walk. Remaining games overall are six at home and three on the road. The Rangers are going to get no help from others, so they will need to keep winning in order to make the post-season and maintain a top-three seed in division.
In order:
3/21- Fla - win 4-2 3/23 - Bos 3/26 - @Mtl 3/27 - Pit 3/31 - @Car 4/2 - Buf 4/4 - @CBJ 4/5 - TB 4/7 - NYI 4/9 - Det