Four Point Games

Tonight, the Rangers face off against Montreal, currently the #7 seed in the East. This is one of those all important four point games that the Rangers will play between now and the end of the season, and the first of two this week. By winning in regulation tonight, the Rangers can leap frog over the Bruins for the #8 seed in the East, provided Carolina wins in regulation as well. A win also puts them within three points of those Canadiens, with one game in hand. Montreal is actually the only team in playoff contention in the East that the Rangers have games in hand.

With two straight wins against Atlanta and Philly, the Rangers have put themselves back into the playoff hunt after a very disappointing 1-2-2 against the conference’s top teams. To continue to be in the hunt, the Rangers need to keep this winning streak alive against a hot Montreal team that has won five straight and six of seven since returning to action. While none of those wins were convincing, or against the elite, two were against Boston, and one against LA.

There is no doubt that both teams feel the push for the playoffs, and that both teams recognize this as a four point swing game. The Rangers are going to need that continued effort that we saw against Philly to come out on top against a streaking Montreal club. They are also going to need continued solid play from Henrik Lundqvist, who seems to be at his best down these stretches. This game, and the game against Boston Sunday, will determine if the Rangers make the playoffs. These four point games are crucial.