After finishing the last two seasons with 95 and 94 points respectively, it does not seem that unusual at first glance to see the Rangers clinch a playoff spot with 97 points this season.
The key difference is that they have done it with 15 games left to play.
The Florida Panthers loss on Monday means that the Rangers, who sport a league-best 45-15-7 record after 67 games, can already plan ahead for the postseason, where they will try to avoid their fate of the two previous seasons: crashing out in the first round.
"But first, it's important to focus and close out the season strongly", GM devo22 said. "This season has been nothing but a dream so far, but we can't let up. There's really good teams in this league who will make us pay if we do. Philadelphia and Buffalo have been outstanding, so we have to keep the foot on the gas."
The Rangers have cherished the role of being one of the teams to beat this season, an unfamiliar role after having to fight tooth and nail to claw themselves into the playoff picture in the past two years. What has changed? Many will point to the offseason moves that were made to improve the team up front. Adding William Karlsson has particularly improved the team's offense. Reilly Smith, who led the Rangers with 26 goals and 31 assists last season, has formed an excellent partnership with Karlsson. His 35 goals and 78 points rank 2nd and 3rd in the league respectively, while Karlsson (27-44-71) is in the top 10 for points as well.
"They have had chemistry from day one", devo22 said. "They've lifted the whole team, it's been great to watch."
Connor Brown (24-31-55) has also drastically improved his offense, while Blake Coleman (24-30-54) and Adam Henrique (20-21-41) have also reached the 20 goal plateau already. It has given the Rangers a balanced offense, despite the fact that summer acquisition Jamie Benn (15-19-34) has been struggling. His impact on the locker room has been undeniable though, similar to that of veterans like Brian Boyle, Brandon Sutter and Andrej Sekera.
Defensively, the likes of Esa Lindell, Brett Pesce and Alex Goligoski have continued to lead the way, and goaltending has been solid all season. Mackenzie Blackwood (36-11-6, 2.45 GAA, .917% svs, 4 SO) ranks among the league's best in every category, while Martin Jones, a rare in-season acquisition from Los Angeles, has provided quality backup play (9-2-1, 2.22 GAA, .918% svs, 1 SO).
"Adding Martin has given us a big boost", devo22 said. "It has allowed us to rest Mackenzie here and there, and I also think he has benefited from having quality competition. They are pushing each other, and they give us a chance to win every night."
Despite their record, the Rangers are not without worries right now. Defenseman Alex Goligoski suffered a foot fracture during Sunday's 3-1 win over Minnesota, and the team has already lost forward Brian Boyle for the rest of the season with an arm injury. Don't expect any big moves, though: the franchise has been wary of tinkering too much with their winning formula, and they are expected to lean on their own depth players to step up.
"Those guys have repeatedly shown that the answers are in the room", devo22 said. "We trust them."
Rookie forward Morgan Geekie has filled in for Boyle for the past few games, while veteran Andrej Sekera is expected to slide back into the lineup to replace Goligoski.
The Rangers held a full practice on Monday before scheduling an optional skate for Tuesday. Next up for them is a tilt with the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday.
Practice Lines:
Brown - Karlsson - Smith
Coleman - Henrique - Benn
Gourde - Dzingel - Hartman
Sutter - Geekie/Toninato - Nieto
Lindell - Pesce
Soucy - Demers
Gostisbehere - Sekera/Irwin
Blackwood - Jones