The Rangers Have One Last Chance To Prove They Care
With their season slipping away, the Rangers get one last shot at redemption against a rival that’s already embarrassed them twice.
The New York Rangers trail the Montreal Canadiens by two points for the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. What a difference a few days make, as Montreal had a game in hand and picked up a massive win against the Bruins Thursday night to push them forward in the standings. Not to mention, they already had the tiebreaker in their favor which will continue to keep the Rangers at a disadvantage.
The Rangers have had chance after chance to gain ground in the race for the playoffs but have blown nearly every single one of those opportunities. While a playoff berth is still in the realm of possibility, there’s no point in keeping a close eye on the standings or hoping for certain outcomes. If this team truly wanted a playoff spot, they would’ve had it by now. Frankly, if Montreal ends up making it at the Rangers expense, it’s because the Canadiens deserve it, simple as that.
Saturday afternoon will be an important game for the New York Rangers. In a standings sense, sure, but the true meaning of this hockey game is going to go well beyond that. In their final meeting with the New Jersey Devils this season, the Rangers will get one last chance to prove they actually care about their efforts and how they represent the crest on their sweater. Playoffs or not, the biggest problem with the team this season has been effort. And with the final stretch approaching, the need to right the wrongs, to any extent, is incredibly urgent.
The Rangers have not danced well with the Devils this season. In just three games, the Rangers have a 1-2-0 record to show for against their Hudson River rivals. But that one win came in overtime which, in retrospect, barely even counts. Especially with often 3-on-3 OT essentially becomes a battle of puck possession more than anything else.
