After handily qualifying for playoffs, the Rangers aren’t settling.
The Rangers allowed themselves simply Saturday evening to rejoice reaching their No. 1 purpose of securing a spot within the postseason and incomes an opportunity to compete for the Stanley Cup. With the Hurricanes coming to the Backyard on Tuesday, nevertheless, the race for first place within the Metropolitan Division formally begins for the Rangers.
Their sights at the moment are set on attaining residence ice and having a powerful end to what has already been a riveting common season.
“Take pleasure in it somewhat bit, be pleased with ourselves,” stated Chris Kreider, who's one purpose shy of the coveted 50 mark and 5 tallies away from tying Jaromir Jagr’s single-season franchise file. “However we wish residence ice. We need to hold pushing, hold climbing.”
Carolina took sole possession of the highest spot within the division with a 5-2 win over the Geese on Sunday evening. However after trailing the Hurricanes for many of the season, the Rangers have closed the hole with a 7-2-1 file during the last 10 video games and are simply two factors again within the standings.
Between the Rangers’ latest play and the Hurricanes going 5-3-2 over that very same span, there’s a powerful chance the highest of the Metro may see some motion over the ultimate three weeks of the common season. The 2 groups will sq. off yet one more time after Tuesday, as nicely.
In the event that they have been to take over first place within the division, the Rangers may face the Lightning within the first spherical of the playoffs.
Put up Sports activities+ members, join to have Mollie Walker textual content you the newest phrase on the Rangers and reply together with your ideas and questions. Not a Sports activities+ member but? Strive it now.
“A rising tide lifts all ships,” Kreider stated. “Finally, us making the playoffs and having a possibility to win residence ice has been the first focus.”
Head coach Gerard Gallant talked about how the Rangers’ perception actually began to come back by way of simply after Christmas, when the crew went on a 7-3 tear and it wasn’t simply because goalie Igor Shesterkin was standing on his head.
In acknowledging that the Rangers have received in numerous other ways this yr, Gallant famous that there’s nonetheless 9 video games left to realize new targets. Kreider echoed that sentiment, and strengthened the Rangers’ need to proceed trending upwards.
“With the ability to discover methods to win video games through the season was actually necessary for us,” Kreider stated. “However I don’t suppose any crew is proud of the place their sport is. Recreation 1 by way of 10, 10 by way of 20, you need to constantly enhance. It's essential to enhance. In the event you’re not getting higher as a bunch and never taking part in on intuition, and actually having a grasp on what you’re attempting to do as a bunch and what you’re attempting to do from a programs standpoint, at this level within the yr, you’re in bother.
“It’s one thing we’ve talked about all yr was constantly bettering, constantly rising as a bunch. Clearly, having a comparatively younger crew, nonetheless, you noticed that enchancment each single day. I believe that’s a giant a part of why there was such buzz and such vitality.
“Finally, discovering methods to win and get two factors at any level within the season is extremely necessary and simply at all times attempting to enhance, trusting the method.”
Post a Comment