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Rangers coach John Tortorella dismissed a question about the conference standings last week, insisting that it was too early to keep track. Perhaps he'd better begin.
Through 27 games, the Rangers (13-13-1) have collected 50 percent of the available points: 27. To reach the playoffs, compiling 94 points presumably will be necessary. So, the Rangers (6-12-1 in the last 19) will need 67, or 61 percent, of the remaining 110 points available.
Their performance in the upcoming four-game stretch, over eight days beginning Saturday in Buffalo, could be telling. They face the Sabres (15-7-2) twice, home and away, the Blackhawks in Chicago (16-6-3 and 10-2-1 at home) and the Red Wings (13-9-4) at the Garden.
One reason why the Rangers are sinking is because they are juggling not three or four lines, but two-thirds of a No. 1 line: Marian Gaborik, whose second goal Monday was his NHL-leading 21st, was named the NHL's third star for November. Sidekick Vinny Prospal has six goals; no other Ranger has more. A dozen teams have at least two players in double-digits.
The collective frost is remarkable: Ales Kotalik (one goal in the last 15 games and minus-12 overall), Chris Higgins (two in 26), Ryan Callahan (four in 27), Chris Drury (none in 12) and Sean Avery (two in 19), provide no punch. Enver Lisin, playing with a hairline fracture in his left foot, is pointless in 12 games. C Brandon Dubinsky, who has missed nine games with a broken hand, should return in a few weeks. Dubinsky, with the potential to be a top six forward, will allow Prospal to move back to left wing.
Through 27 games, the Rangers (13-13-1) have collected 50 percent of the available points: 27. To reach the playoffs, compiling 94 points presumably will be necessary. So, the Rangers (6-12-1 in the last 19) will need 67, or 61 percent, of the remaining 110 points available.
Their performance in the upcoming four-game stretch, over eight days beginning Saturday in Buffalo, could be telling. They face the Sabres (15-7-2) twice, home and away, the Blackhawks in Chicago (16-6-3 and 10-2-1 at home) and the Red Wings (13-9-4) at the Garden.
One reason why the Rangers are sinking is because they are juggling not three or four lines, but two-thirds of a No. 1 line: Marian Gaborik, whose second goal Monday was his NHL-leading 21st, was named the NHL's third star for November. Sidekick Vinny Prospal has six goals; no other Ranger has more. A dozen teams have at least two players in double-digits.
The collective frost is remarkable: Ales Kotalik (one goal in the last 15 games and minus-12 overall), Chris Higgins (two in 26), Ryan Callahan (four in 27), Chris Drury (none in 12) and Sean Avery (two in 19), provide no punch. Enver Lisin, playing with a hairline fracture in his left foot, is pointless in 12 games. C Brandon Dubinsky, who has missed nine games with a broken hand, should return in a few weeks. Dubinsky, with the potential to be a top six forward, will allow Prospal to move back to left wing.
Click here for more on the Rangers’ perplexing season thus far.
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This point has been edited by cityhockeyfever: 03 December 2009 - 01:05 AM
