After three wins in a row, including a pair against Buffalo, the playoffs were back on the menu for the Rangers. It’s still unlikely, but the Rangers can still technically catch the Islanders in the standings. The Islanders are five points ahead and have one game in hand. However they do face the Rangers twice in the next three days. For the Rangers to have any hopes of catching the Islanders, they need to sweep this series.
There is no other realistic scenario in which the Rangers can catch the Islanders. And even with a sweep, it’s still unlikely.