The Rangers haven’t typically misplaced two video games in a row this season, and so they’ve solely had one three-game skid (again in November), however the final two video games had been a troublesome pair of defeats.
The losses to the Blue Jackets and Wild marked simply the second time this season the Rangers got here away from two straight video games with out a single level, which is a testomony to how sturdy their first half was. There have been a pair of blown 2-0 leads, some rocky stretches of play and in consequence, a dip within the standings.
After the Penguins collected some extent in a shootout loss to the Purple Wings on Friday, Pittsburgh had 61 factors and sole possession of first place within the Metropolitan Division and had been some extent forward of the Rangers and Hurricanes. The Capitals additionally picked up two factors following a win over the Stars, pulling inside three factors of the Rangers.
The Hurricanes, who had a win and fives video games in hand on the Rangers, had a possibility to leap atop the division after they hosted the Devils Saturday evening.
Whereas the Rangers have put themselves in a snug place the place the playoffs are involved, the Metro is arguably the tightest division and a pair of regulation losses are going to be pricey. The groups on the high of the division have been neck and neck, however the Rangers have managed to remain proper with it.
“It’s key on this league to play a full 60 [minutes],” defenseman Ryan Lindgren mentioned after the 3-2 loss to the Wild on Friday. “If you get out to these leads, you’ve bought to be sure to’re enjoying good and never letting groups get again into it. In order that’s undoubtedly one thing we’ve bought to scrub up.”
The Rangers are 16 factors away from ninth place within the Jap Convention and simply three factors away from a wild-card spot, presently sitting in fifth within the convention. After such a prolific first half, having to finally compete for a wild-card spot wouldn’t be ideally suited contemplating the Rangers have been in playoff place for a majority of the season.
With the following two video games set to be performed at residence, starting with a Sunday afternoon matinee with the Kraken, the Rangers wish to head into the All-Star break on a excessive word. The Rangers will return Feb. 15 in opposition to the Bruins, the primary of two straight residence video games. Though the Rangers are with out two forwards, Kaapo Kakko and Filip Chytil, and their No. 1 defenseman, Adam Fox, they need to be capable of decide up some factors in opposition to the Kraken and Panthers.
Fox received’t be eligible to return to the lineup till after the All-Star weekend in Las Vegas, and it's nonetheless unclear if he'll take part. Head coach Gerard Gallant mentioned the Rangers may be with out Kakko (injured reserve) for a while, however Chytil, who has been day-to-day with a lower-body harm, might be able to return within the subsequent few contests.
The Rangers have survived with a depleted lineup earlier than, however Fox’s absence is a wholly completely different void to fill. If this robust stretch continues till the Rangers’ two-week break in February, it wouldn’t be the top of the world, nevertheless it additionally wouldn’t make issues simpler.
There are 37 video games left within the season. Loads of time is left. Something can occur.
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