Going into the All-Star break the New York Rangers played a crucial series of games including three against the New York Islanders. They lost three of five and any thoughts of a playoff run were mere fantasy.
That all changed after the break. Aside from a desultory effort against Buffalo, the Rangers have played exceedingly well since the break and if they can keep this up, they will indeed be in a position for a playoff run. They are 5-2 in their last seven games and hope to tie their longest winning streak of the season if they can best the Wild tonight in Minnesota for three in a row.