Just when it was beginning to look like they were done, the Rangers found a way to pull themselves back up. Now - believe it, or not - the Broadway Blueshirts control their own destiny. (*EDIT - Technically they don't control their own destiny since Atlanta is ahead of them, but I think it's safe to say Atlanta won't win out.)
With the Flyers 4-1 loss to the Penguins earlier this afternoon, The Rangers find themselves five points back of Philadelphia with a game in hand. While the Bruins have the same number of points as the Flyers, it's beginning to look as if the Flyers are the squad the Rangers will be chasing. Why? The Rangers will take on the Flyers in a home and home in their final two games of the season.
If the Rangers can find a way to beat the Maple Leafs tonight, the Rangers will be three points behind the Flyers. Theoretically, if they were to win out (which would see the Flyers lose their final two games of the season), they're in, guaranteed.
Now this may sound pretty good in theory for John Tortorella's Club, but you better believe this will be a difficult uphill climb.
Chris Drury needs to continue his excellent post-Olympic play (and by the way, how about "Dru" coming up with the biggest goal of the Rangers' season to push their Thursday night game with the Devils into overtime? Simply clutch). Sean Avery needs to continue toeing the line while employing his shenanigans. Ryan Callahan, who will miss tonight's game, needs to get healthy. Marian Gaborik needs to up his level of play, healthy, or not (no way he's remotely healthy - I'd put him at 75%, tops). And, it goes without saying; Henrik Lundqvist will need to be Tortorella's best player.
As inconsistent and frustrating as the Rangers' play has been this season, I can't help but tip my hat to the team's ability to come up with two big wins to stay in the hunt...
With Calgary's ugly 5-0 loss to the Bruins earlier this afternoon, it appears as if the divide between the top eight and bottom seven teams in the Western Conference can be drawn in permanent marker.
The streaking eighth-place Red Wings (four straight wins) now command a five-point lead over the ninth-place Flames, and also hold a game in hand.
So much for Jay Bouwmeester getting his first taste of post-season action this season, huh?
While the top-eight teams may be shoe-ins, nearly all the seedings are still very much up in the air. The Predators (5th), Kings (6th), Avalanche (7th), and Wings (8th) are separated by all of two points. San Jose (1st), Chicago (2nd), and Phoenix (4th) are also separated by just two points, and will continue to battle for the top spot in the Conference down the stretch...
How does Joe Sacco's Club do it? Chris Stewart. Brandon Yip. T.J. Galiardi. 18-year olds Matt Duchene and Ryan O'Reilly.
The number of young Avalanche players that have busted out this season is simply dumbfounding. Seriously, I'm beginning to think I could sign with the Avalanche and put up numbers.
Trade deadline acquisition Peter Mueller has been the latest addition to this enviable trend.
After posting just four goals and 17 points in 54 games with the 'Yotes, Mueller has exploded for five goals and 15 points in 11 games while playing alongside Duchene on the Avs' "second" line. The eighth overall pick in the 2006 draft has been able to regain some confidence and swagger, and it's resulted in points in 13 of the 15 games he has played in an Avalanche Sweater.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again - Joe Sacco's propensity to put young players in positions to succeed, while also maximizing their contributions to the team is something special.
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