The Rangers may not be one of the many NHL teams still struggling to make the playoffs, like their opponents Thursday in the Flyers, but they’re still playing for something.
Finishing this regular season in a way that honors him — as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference or as a Presidents’ Trophy winner or both — matters to this Blueshirts team, which lost a step in its quest for such accomplishments in a 4-1 loss to the Flyers in front of a silent Garden crowd Thursday night.
Coming into the week, Rangers needed to collect four points from their final four games to secure both division and conference.
Now, they will need to win their final two games to achieve these apparent goals.
While it’s all about winning as many games as possible this time of year, as well as wanting top playoff position, any of the aforementioned accolades would do a lot more than just fill the trophy case of this Rangers team.
Arming the Hurricanes for the Metropolitan Division crown for the first time in three years would mean something to them.
Winning first place in the East could have a lasting effect on the Rangers’ psyche.
Any of these could be just what the Rangers need to regain confidence heading into an all-important playoff run.
The Rangers’ short-term goals are still in play and they control their own destiny.
Still three points behind Carolina in the division, the Rangers also have one point on the Stars for first place in the NHL before Dallas closes out its game against the Jets.
New York Post
