Front Door Remains Open for the Rangers

The primary element for the Rangers clinching a playoff spot remained the same -- their magic number is two, and there is no better way to get those two points than to win them off the Islanders tonight, although you know the Isles would love nothing better than to play spoiler. But losses by Philadelphia and Boston (the latter in a shootout) have given the Rangers more scenarios to clinch as well as to improve their final seeding -- Philly's loss in particular puts them on the same level as Carolina or Washington, with the Rangers' magic number over them now at two (unless those two points come in extra-time losses -- that would kill the Rangers if those are their only points the rest of the way and Flyers win out).

The scenario remains a complex one in which an awful lot of things have to go wrong for the Rangers to miss the playoffs, beginning with three losses in their last three games. But even with that, five other teams have to win nine of the 16 or 17 points available to them in a certain configuration to knock out the Rangers -- Carolina has to win one point out of two, Washington and Philly three points out of four apiece, and Boston and Ottawa one out of three apiece. If the Rangers get one point in their last three games, the other teams would each have to win another point to knock them out, making it necessary to win 14 of their 16-17 remaining points. But all these scenarios go out the window if the Rangers just win one more game.

In the news today, the Times looks at the Rangers' three leaders and their dwindling offensive numbers in a defensive system. The Daily News, Journal News, Newsday, and Post report from yesterday's practice. Kenny Albert at MSG.com names his Ranger MVP. NHL.com has another story on the Staal brothers, with all three possibly headed to the playoffs. CBS Sports debates who is the best agitator in the league, and both writers (including Blueshirt Bulletin reader Greg Cimilluca) agree that it's Sean Avery. NYR.com has a game preview for tonight and the press release on signing Ryan Hillier. Prospect Park has more in Hillier and several other prospects. Bob Crawford has the Wolf Pack's week in review at WP.com.

Comments

[Denver Frank]

Paul R/Ant - The word bothered me only because I'm sure that kids as well as adults frequent the site. As for growing up, I'm already 58, so too late for that.
LET'S GO RANGERS, FLATTEN THE FISH!!

[Chris QCT]

END IT TONIGHT!

...and let tomorrow night be a party at the Garden.

[Jasper]

The Rangers better make sure they win either tonight or tomorrow because if Sunday ends up being a must win to make the playoffs, you can imagine that after losing 7 straight this year, the Devils will stop at nothing to snuff out the Rangers on the final game of the year in their building.

[captjameson]

democrat frank, that's what parental controls on tvs and computers are for. Dubi does his best to weed out the foul stuff but can't and shouldn't be expected weed out everything. many ranger fans aren't choir boys. i wasn't happy about having to explain janet jackson's wardrobe malfunction either, that's why my son is not allowed to watch tv after 9pm.

[captjameson]

btw DF, i agree buddy. i hate fishstix. LET'S GO RANGERS!!!!

[Mark W.]

Do we need 1 pt. or 2 to clinch a spot?

[Godot]

Here's the thing about the word in question--the person who posted it is a regular and knows Dubi's concern for language.

[Mark W.]

Sorry wasn't reading Dubi's post well. We need 2 pts.

[Tom]

Is it me or is everyone on this site old??? (by old i mean family with kids) just askign outta curiousity haha

[captjameson]

is 32 old?

[Jameson]

Tom,
I'm a 19 year old college student *shrug* haha

Mark,
We need 2 points. Those 2 points can be from a win or losses by the teams we need to lose for us to clinch. I thought at first it was just Washington we need to lose but now the picture is much more complex with Philly losing again. But a 2 point differential over the Caps, and maybe the Bruins and Flyers too I'm not sure. Whether that's the other teams not getting 2 points from losses, or for us to gain those 2 points.

In regards to the game tonight, we need to just wrap it up tonight, and if we can manage to win these 2 against the fishsticks tonight we have an excellent chance of getting home ice advantage in the first round, with a matchup against the Devils to end the season probably being a battle for which team will be the 4th and which team will be the 5th seed, and then a series between the two probably following that.

[out0fyourelement]

we just need to look at these last three games as must win games, get the minimum of 2 points (hopefully max of 6 though) and then let the other pieces of the puzzle fall into place by themselves...simple

[paulinflorida]

Here we are going into game 80 (81 for some of the other teams), 16-5-5 over the last two months, and there are a still a bunch of scenarios...what a race. The way this race has been, don't expect help from anyone. To quote Dubi..."But all these scenarios go out the window if the Rangers just win one more game".....win one more win.....Let's go Rangers...tonight's the night.

[Andrea]

Tom, we're not old, we're your veteran leadership :-)

[Inter•Ice Hockey Report]

With the Rangers looking to secure home ice advantage in the playoffs for the first time in 12 years look to the Isles to try and spoil this opportunity the next two games. Defensemen Drew Fata and Jack Hillen, forwards Matt Keith and Kyle Okposo will be playing in their first-ever game against NYR and will also try and impress the Isles brass. Jagr needs to play big with emotion.

[Jess]

#5 New York Rangers can clinch an Eastern Conference playoff berth tonight:
* If they beat NY Islanders.
or
* If they get one point against NY Islanders and Washington gets one point against Tampa Bay.
or
* If Washington gets no points against Tampa Bay.

That should clear everything up since it is straight from the NHL.

All

Language, we are all human and in my book intent is perhaps more important than the actual usage.

That being said I believe Denver Frank was just expressing a concern. Nothing more nothing less so can we cut him some slack please.

In my eyes that says he cares about the quality and performance of this site not that he is trying to play censor or prude. I would rather him ask a question raising awareness instead of us possibly offending someone without realizing it.

We all get mad, we all say and do things that we might regret later as after all we all are human (except those in Florida and New Jersey)we are all Ranger fans and none of us act like the trolls from other teams.

Let us keep that way

[Jess]

For those of you in college looking for a career

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/14855-Double-OT-NHL-looking-for-graduating-players-with-interest-in-officiating.html

[Denver Frank]

Jess - Thanks for your post. You captured the true spirit of my post.

Andrea - You hit it right on the head. We are the veteran leadership.

Tom - Hey, watch yourself!! Since when is 58 old??:) This shows that you are probably a recent Rangers fan. At least you are a fan. LET'S GO RANGERS. On to the playoffs. Do it for us! Do it for yourselves!! Do it in honor of Bob Nevin!!!

[Dubi]

The thing is that there are so many ways the Rangers can clinch, but there is only one way they miss, and that is by losing all of their remaining games (at least twice in regulation) while three other teams win most or all but one of their available points.

If the Rangers win one game, obviously, we all know, they're in. If they win two points by getting to OT in two of the three games, they're in. If Carolina, Washington, or Philly lose one of their remaining games in regulation or two of their remaining games in OT/SO, the Rangers are in -- and that means any one of those teams losing, not all three. If Carolina or Washington fail to win ALL their remaining points and the Rangers get one, the Rangers are in.

And that's just those three teams -- the ones where the magic number is two. Even if all the above happens -- Rangers lose out and the other three teams win out, the Bruins and Sens also have to win at least one point for the Rangers to not make it, although if it comes down to this scenario, there would be littel hope of that happening.

[Paul R _ _ _ _ _ d]

I'm only 28, gonna be 29 but I do have a son he is 18 months while I am watching hockey he walks around saying ice, ice ice and jumps up and down when he here the score horn.

[rangerbill94]

Paul R

If you were a real Rangers fan, your son would be skating around! hahaha!!! Look forward to the day Jess can write about him!

[Paul R _ _ _ _ _ d]

I'll have him on skates before he is 3, but he does stick handle a little now forgive the expression but its really cutehe wacks at the ball hits it again it really cool.

[joeymole]

one word for rangers: "geterdun"! is it a czech word? or a swede word? not sure. it means: 'to win a match with much exuberance and authority'.

seriously, rangers need to put down the isles quickly and forcefully tonite. kinda like the way the canes handled tampa last night. they scored quickly and pretty much controlled entire contest.

also, tonite msg network needs to queue up the song "taking care of business" and play it at the end of the game!! it will be a bachman-jagr overdrive kind of game. or maybe someone else will step up and belt out a few tunes? (aka goals)

looking for a huge ranger playoff clinching win tonight against a depleted islander line-up and a 3rd string goalie in the net!

LET'S GO RANGERS!!!

(ps. joeymole is 50 and forever remembers growing up with the gag line, brad park, and a personal favorite - steve vickers.)

[Bob Merchant]

"Sorry wasn't reading Dubi's post well. We need 2 pts.

Posted by: Mark W. "

Oh, I read his post but all that came out of my mouth was..huh?

I misplaced my MIT Quantum Physics degree someplace, as soon as I find it, I can figure out that formula.

[oleosmirf]

denver frank

i had to read ant's post a few times just to find out what you were pointing at. If you're concerned over some little kid wandering on here and learning new "bad" words then I think you're taking that a little to far.

I'm one of the youngest posters here and i'm 19. I highly doubt there is anyone here under the age of 16 let alone under the age of 8 but i could be wrong.

more importantly the Rangers need to win and get the thoughts of mets collapse out of my head...

[Matty "Cute but Psycho, things even out"]

Is it me or is everyone on this site old??? (by old i mean family with kids) just askign outta curiousity haha

I'm in my mid-20's ...

Jess,

Run that by me again ... what did you say about people who live in Florida? I happen to live in Florida ... *hands on hips*

Whether the Rangers can get 4th is not up to them ... yet ... clinching a playoff spot is up to them and they should get it done tonight ... I know that the Islanders will bring it because the place will be packed and loud and 60% filled with Rangers fans(if not more) so that will add further combustible energy to the place and the players for both teams ... Now if we can get the 2 pts and the clinch tonight then I think they play much more relaxed and un-stressed tomorrow but as far as 4th place ... NJ needs to get no more than 1 pt in their last 2 games and we MUST win our last 3 in order to get home ice ...

[Sam]

Let's go Rangers!!

Come out of the gate and take it to the fishsticks!!

Regarding to the age question, I just turned 24.

[And This One Will Last A Lifetime]

I'll be 28 in about 2 weeks, I have a wife-to be, no kids.

I think the Rangers should realize what time of the year it is, you would think Shanny, Gomez, Drury, et al would provide guidance for youngsters in case they need any reminders. They just need to go out there and play their game and most likely their superior skill level should get them the points they need.

Oleosmirf, do you also post on MetsBlog.com?

[Ant]

Guys i meant a ROOSTER

[Jess]

Oleo

I'm one of the youngest posters here and i'm 19. I highly doubt there is anyone here under the age of 16 let alone under the age of 8 but i could be wrong.

Guess who is wrong again there Oleo? Uh huh that would be you as I know for a fact that more than a couple of readers here are closer to 10 as when they come over to my house the first thing they read is this site.

They are just learning how to play hockey and know that the only team they can root for in this house is the Rangers (but sadly their parents signed them up to attend a hockey camp run by the Sharks this summer)

Go back and read my post on this subject and maybe you will understand the meaning and spirit that Denver Frank was trying to express. It is about raising a concern nothing more.

Matty

Run that by me again ... what did you say about people who live in Florida? I happen to live in Florida ... *hands on hips*

Well not being one to gossip butttttttttttttttttttt Paul R _ _ _ _ _ d overheard Sam tell Mark W that only Nerds and Midgets live in Florida

But then again you did not hear that from me nope not at all.

That Sam fella he is such a troublemaker you realize but most 24-26 year olds are.

[Sam]

Jess,

I am counting how many times you have thrown me under the "cooper" and it's one too many.

haha.

[Jess]

Ant

LOL all this about farm animals, what do you expect for city folks?

Next time you might have to draw a picture

[Jess]

Sam

You know I actually test drove a Cooper the other day for real.

I do not know or understand why anyone would want one

BTW it could be worse I could be comparing you to Alexi Yashin and then you really would have a reason to get mad at me

[Matty "Cute but Psycho, things even out"]

I see ...

I'm just going to ignore you all and just talk to Lisa ...

[Jess]

All joking aside if there ever was a game for the Rangers to show up with emotion and passion then tonight had best be that night.

I do not think Ranger fans can handle the stress this team has put all of us though this season so they had better come out storming and ready to play.

[Matty "Cute but Psycho, things even out"]

Oh and Andrea, I like her too .. Ant is ok .. a bit nutty sometimes but ok

[Ant]

Lol jess i guess so

[Ant]

YAAY Matty likes me :):):).

Im off to the colliseum cheer our boys on.

LETS GO RANGERS!!!!!!!!!!

[nic]

im a 21 year old canadian....eh?
haha
go rangers finish this tomorrow and i hope the leafs beat the sens so I can laugh myself to sleep

[nic]

by finish this i mean finish it now and i'll make fun of all my sen fan friends after i laugh myself to sleep...
wow....lay off the beers nic...

[Jess]

Did anyone catch what Melrose and Hradek said on ESPNews a bit ago about the Sens could actually miss the playoffs?

They would become the first team to start 15-2 and fail to make the playoffs.

For those of you who can not see the game Yahoo will have the game on the web

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/preview;_ylt=AsIgCRX7EaOr6anzxdHHcMR7vLYF?gid=2008040312

[Sam]

Zipay confirmed Shanny is out and Struds will play on the 4th line.

Possible Prucha takes Shanny's spot. Hopefully Gomez can help Prucha score a couple of goals tonight.

[oleosmirf]

lifetime

yea i do but not that often

jess

i thought it was a bit of an unnessecary overreaction. I might be in the minority on this but it came across as a little bit like tattling more than anything else. I've been working with young kids for quite a few years now and i'll tell you any kid over the age of 7 who doesn't know what the word damn means lives in a bubble. Nothing bothers me more than overprotective parents b/c i have to deal with them on a consistant basis and then people wonder why the kids get dumber each year.

[Jess]

Oleo

Want my honest opinion then?

It was dying down, Frank saw what I wrote and said that was his intention and then you are bringing it back up instead of just letting it go away.

I could say that your post is also an unnecessary over reaction now.

You are in the minority here as now that Denver Frank's intentions have been explained, now that Ant has cleared up his own intentions and everyone has had their say it is time to move on.

[LisaMY (working)]

Andrea

Tom, we're not old, we're your veteran leadership :-)

Priceless! lol

Jess

after all we all are human (except those in Florida and New Jersey)

You forgot Pittsburgh. The recent demonstration by Pitts fans on several blogs was a sad statement on their part.

I'm a rookie on the blog, but in real life I'm a veteran. However, you never ask a lady her age. You won't get a straight answer even if you did. :P

[Paul R _ _ _ _ _ d]

you have to deal wiyh over protective parent because of mehans law????? just kidding

[Paul R _ _ _ _ _ d]

shoulda been meghan's law

[Jess]

Now can I change the subject and ask anyone who has Direct TV if they are happy with it as I am thinking of dumping Dish Network

[Matty "Cute but Psycho, things even out"]

Very excited to think that the Pruchster will be skating on Gomer's line or even with Dru although I think Dru's line has great chemistry going for it right now so leave that alone ... I want Shanny rested and healthy for Playoff game #1 and beyond

[Paul R _ _ _ _ _ d]

Jess I posted this earlier but you live on the west coast, to avoid matty rage but isn't it hard to cover the wolfpack from there?