The New York Rangers are fighting for an Eastern Conference wild card spot in the NHL playoffs. Can they overcome their struggles and continue their season? Fans could shift their focus to the signing of top prospect Gabe Perreault.
The New York Rangers Playoff Chances Boosted With One Newcomer
The rookie made his NHL debut in Wednesday’s 5-4 win against the Minnesota Wild at MSG, with 13:38 of ice time and recording three shots on goal. Perreault shared , “I’ll be excited. Obviously, a little bit nervous. But I know that’s part of it. That’s expected, but I’d be super grateful and really thankful for everyone who’s helped me get to this point.” They came away with two crucial points in the win Wednesday night against the Minnesota Wild, keeping their postseason hopes alive. Now, it’s about taking it one game at a time as they push toward the playoffs.
A Crowded and Flawed Wild Card Race
With just over two weeks remaining in the regular season, five teams remain firmly in the hunt for the Eastern Conference’s second and final wild card spot: Rangers, Blue Jackets, Canadiens, Islanders, and Red Wings. All five teams have struggled to assert dominance, each falling below a .500 record over their last ten games. The Rangers, in particular, had lost five of their previous six games before bouncing back with two consecutive wins, including a 5-4 victory over the Minnesota Wild. This inconsistency has defined their season, with flashes of success often overshadowed by extended struggles. However, back-to-back wins could provide the momentum they need to stay in the race.
A Season of Highs and Lows
This Rangers’ team has been far different than last year’s Presidents’ Trophy winners. A brutal 4-15 slump from late November through December placed them in a questionable position. Although they had a steady and successful first two months of the new year, their struggles resurfaced in March. New York has lost nine of its last 13 games (4-6-3), with defensive lapses and a drop in possession numbers raising major concerns.
One of the most prominent issues is their defensive play. They’ve particularly struggled against top transition teams, making it difficult to shut down opposing offences. This has placed significant pressure on goaltender Igor Shesterkin , who remains the biggest reason for optimism . His elite goaltending gives the Rangers a playoff chance, but the rest of the team needs to provide more support.
The Road Ahead and Whether They Can Hold On
The Rangers have seven games remaining, the fewest among the wild card contenders. Their strength of schedule (.579) is the second-toughest, with five of their final seven games coming against teams currently in playoff position. However, they do have one key advantage, which is regulation wins. The Rangers hold the important first tiebreaker with six more regulation wins than their closest competitors. If they can string together a few more wins, they could separate themselves in this tight playoff race.
The Rangers hope to find consistency and strength on their power play, which ranks 27th in the NHL at just 17.7%. A significant issue has been Chris Kreider’s lack of net-front presence, a key factor in their past success. While he found the back of the net in their most recent win, giving the Rangers an early lead, they still need to re-engage the 33-year-old forward and make his net-front role a focal point to improve their struggling special teams.
Final Outlook: A 32.5% Shot at the Playoffs
Given their recent form and difficult schedule, the Rangers’ playoff odds currently sit at 32.5% according to MoneyPuck . Their fate will largely be determined by their ability to tighten up defensively, minimize turnovers, and generate consistent offensive pressure. If Shesterkin continues to play at an elite level and the team provides marginal improvement in front of him, they have a path to the postseason.
Can the New York Rangers capitalize on the weakness of their competition and secure the final playoff spot? Their margin for error is slim, but in a race where no team has established dominance, they still have a chance to punch their ticket to the postseason.
Main Photo Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
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