It is impossible to calculate just how much of the Rangers’ halting start can be assigned to mental fatigue or lingering health issues following the club’s extended postseason runs each of the previous two springs and three of the previous four.
But it would be foolhardy to ignore the twin realities that 76 playoff games since 2012 have taken an inevitable toll and that the three trips to the conference finals and one to the Cup final represent a contributing factor to the general team-wide malaise for these early-season games on the schedule.
Let’s not kid ourselves.