Even after such an up-and-down season, the Rangers still had a good chance of making the postseason just a couple of weeks ago. But then, the two trends they could not let happen did.
The Montreal Canadiens, holders of the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, went on a run, winning six straight and collecting 13 out of a possible 20 points over their last 10 games.
The Rangers went in the opposite direction. Over their last 10 games, including Wednesday’s 8-5 loss to the Flyers, they have collected just seven out of a possible 20 points over that span including losing three straight.