During the current break in the schedule, Rangers fans should do some deep thinking about the team and ABOUT YOURSELVES.
This is a good time to declare are you optimistic, pessimistic or a rationalist. Here’s an easy way to pick your spot.
1. THE OPTIMIST SAYS, “The glass is half full.”
2. THE PESSIMIST SAYS, “The glass is half empty.”
3. THE RATIONALIST SAYS, “The glass is twice as big as it needs to be.”
The Maven will be as clear as glass with my view of the team heading toward the homestretch:
I’ll go one better; the glass is three-quarters full and heading toward the top. Here’s why: Every team the Rangers are chasing is catch-able. For example”
COLUMBUS: The Blue Jackets have been playing over their heads. They have been magnificently competitive ever since. But before the break, they showed signs of slipping. I predict a fadeaway when play resumes. The Blueshirts are only two points behind – with a game behind. New York should catch up and pass before a week is up once play resumes:
OTTAWA: Here’s trouble. Coach Travis Green has his Sens on track and playing over their heads. The Hockey News Yearbook pegged
Ottawa for seventh place in the Atlantic but their blend of young (Tim Stutzle) and old (Claude Giroux) has produced good chemistry.
They lead the Rangers by two points but here again Peter Laviolette’s skaters have a game in hand. In this match up, goaltending tips the scale for the MSGers.
DETROIT: The Red Wings were on a treadmill to oblivion until the coaching change. The evolution of GM Steve Yzerman’s ‘Yzerplan’ is rooted in the likes of Lucas Raymond, Dylan Larkin and Alex DeBrincat. They score in bunches and with multiple-Cup champ Patrick Kane in tow, they’re loaded with experience.
Although they, too, were pegged for sixth place, the Motor City sextet will be a catching challenge for the Big Apple Boys. The Red Wings lead by three points with an equal 55 games played. I’m not impressed by Detroit’s defense. Overall, New York has more quality.
BOSTON: Plagued by internal issues and a startling change of coaches, the Bruins have been nowhere near challenging for the Presidents’ Trophy as hoped. While they have quality in David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy, the Beantowners only lead the Rangers by two points and the Blueshirts have two games in hand. Here again, Igor Shesterkin gives his club a key advantage over Jeremy Swayman. Watch the Bruins win-now, win-always mantra explode.
MONTREAL: The Habs have missed the playoffs for three…