With the win last night against the Flyers, the Rangers are now in first place in the Atlantic Division, first place in the Eastern Conference (Bruins have two games in hand), and tied for first in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks (who have a game in hand). The Rangers are doing this with balanced scoring, incredible defense, and the best goaltending duo in the league. But more importantly, they are a team that is winning the games they need to win.

The Rangers worst month of the season was October, where they went 4-3-3. This was mainly due to the travel schedule, as the Rangers just looked gassed and jet lagged. They followed October up with a 9-2 November, second in the league to the Bruins and their 12-0-1 November record (you’ll notice the Rangers are second to the Bruins in a lot as we go through this). December was also a dominant month for the Rangers, who went 10-4-1 while facing mainly playoff caliber competition.

Against the Atlantic Division, the Rangers are 8-1, which includes three wins against the Flyers. If the Rangers lose just one of those games, there’s a tie for first place in the division and conference. The one loss is against an Islanders team that will not make the playoffs. So the remaining five wins have come against the Penguins (playoff bound) and the Devils (borderline). That’s eight wins against playoff bound teams in the conference. Not too shabby.

Against the rest of the conference, the Rangers are 11-5-2. The only playoff team they have not faced is the Bruins, and they will be in Boston later this month to square off against them. With two losses against Toronto, the Rangers record against the Northeast (Boston’s division) is just 3-3-1, which represents the worst record the Rangers have against an Eastern Conference Division. The 8-2-1 record against the Southeast isn’t too shabby either when you consider the Panthers and Capitals are both playoff bound.

Their 19-6-2 record against the Eastern Conference is the best record in the conference, even better than those same Bruins (18-7-0).

The Rangers have essentially played .500 hockey against the Western Conference (5-3-2), which is middle of the road for the Eastern Conference teams. But the Rangers do hold convincing wins over Vancouver (4-0) and San Jose (5-2); with an additional win over playoff bound Phoenix. This is in stark contrast to seasons past where the Rangers struggled against the Western Conference teams.

The Rangers have a +31 goal differential, second in the conference to Boston (at +55…which is absurd), and fourth in the league (Vancouver, Detroit). The Rangers are 10th in scoring with 110 goals, and also 10th in the league when you adjust for the shootout “goal” awarded.

It’s goals against that sets the Rangers apart. They are second in the league with just 79 goals allowed, with just those Bruins ahead of them (a measly 68 goals allowed…also absurd).

The Eastern Conference is becoming a showdown between the Rangers and the Bruins. The game on January 21 (which I will be in attendance for) has incredible implications for playoff seeding. As the Rangers get healthy, they could push the defending Stanley Cup champions for the regular season conference crown.

But that’s just the regular season. The playoffs is where it needs to get done.

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