Just two days ago, fans of the New York Rangers were saying things like this:
NHL Standings: Despite Recent Hot Stretch, New York Rangers Suddenly Have No Breathing Room
A hot goaltender and a team that plays the style of hockey the Rangers do is a team that can succeed in the playoffs. The Rangers are going to go into the playoffs a dangerous team, and one no top seed is going to want to play. Only Boston in my opinion can make an argument for being better in goal right now.
Look back at the last twenty-five years or so of NHL history. Almost every year there is that one team who comes out of nowhere and surprises everyone. The Rangers themselves were that team in 1985-86, and we all watched in horror at what the Flyers accomplished last year. So Ranger fans and players alike should be asking themselves, “Why not us?”
Now, about 36 hours later, you’re not going to find much of that sentiment around anywhere.
The now-eighth place Rangers sit just three points ahead of ninth-place Carolina, thanks to a Wednesday loss to the Buffalo Sabres and a Thursday loss to the New York Islanders. This comes immediately after a stretch of 10 games in which the Rangers went 8-1-1 to boost themselves to what seemed like a certain playoff spot.
So, what’s wrong on Broadway? Don’t ask John Tortorella, because he’s not talking. After the loss on Long Island:
Well, at least he was nice about it. The Rangers still control their own fate with four games left in the regular season. They’re in Philadelphia to take on the Flyers on Sunday (12:30 p.m., NBC) before three home games against Boston, Atlanta and New Jersey close out the season.
The battle for the eighth seed in the East will likely come right down to the wire for the Rangers, and after missing out on the playoffs a year ago with a Game 82 shootout, it’s safe to say Tortorella isn’t sleeping all that well these days.
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