Above the Line

In my previous post, I said the Rangers needed to get at least 2 points from their home and home against the Pens.  They got 3. They won in regulation and then lost in a shoot out.  Now they are above the line.  Make no mistake, this playoff chase is going to go down to the wire.  Right now the Blueshirts are in a good position to make the playoffs.

Moreso than other sports, a hot goalie can win games.  The Rangers have a goalie who can be hot in Lundquist.  Rangers fans need to focus on possibility.  The odds look good today.

Below the line

As the season gets to its twilight, newspapers start to print the standings by conference rather than division.  This is a good idea since most fans care about making the playoffs, and the conference standings give the clearest indication of that.  The top 8 teams make the playoffs and the line below the team in 8th place is usually printed in a bolder typeface.  As of this post, the Rangers are below the line.

This is not the end of the world.  In the first place (Okay this is the only time you will see the phrase first place related to Rangers about hockey this season), The Rangers have 2 games in hand on the Isles who currently occupy the 8th slot.  In the second place, the Rangers made some moves at the trade deadline.  I will reserve judgement on the trades except to say that the word "tenacity" has been used exhaustively regarding Ryane Clowe, and it is clearly a quality that the Rangers have lacked this season.

Clearly, his first and last names have an extra "e" which can only be for effort.  They will clearly need more effort against a Pittsburgh team that has had their number for several seasons.  Sid the Kid may be sidelined, but they still have Malkin.  The Broadway Blues need a minimum of 2 points from this home and home.