A lucky seven or a sorry seven?
Starting today at The Rock in Newark, the Rangers have seven games remaining on theIr schedule.
Remarkably, after six months of play and 75 games played, we still don't know who these Blueshirt guys really re and what they're all about.
But the upcoming seven contests will tell us all we want to know.
And that is this: They are either a playoff team that's been playing in-again-out-again possum with us.
Or, they're an unconnected group of overpaid, underachieving FAT CATS who really have no interest in the franchise's reputation nor its super-caring fans.
For half a year we've had to put up with the same recycled phrases – most from Mika (The Unofficial Spokesman) Zibanejad – about hard-trying on ice the Rangers are when – in reality this club is trying on the brain.
"A grand rush into a Wild Card Berth still is there for the grabbing," says The Old Scout, "but it's a matter of streaking starting today against a Devils team ready to be taken."
Ah, but the Rangers have been far from overwhelming even when beating a team like Minnesota – also beaten by the Islanders last night – and there are weak spots all over the roster.
"The defense is soft and unreliable," adds The Old Scout, "and Igor Shesterkin's goaltending has not been of Vezina calibre. Plus, It's hard to figure who's the true leader without a captain."
Ironically, Zibanejad – he club would like to dump him tonight but can't – pretends to be "captain" with his endless postgame wraps while he's burdened with the worst plus-minus on the team.
Chris Kreider, who'll be a Bruin next season as sure as the next campaign is 2025-26, occasionally rises to the occasion but we never know when that mammoth event will take place.
Really, the hope is that the club's confounding core can be energized to positivity by the Kiddie Korps.
The likes of Gabe Perreault, Will Cuylle, Brennan Othmann and Brett Berard have the talent, juice and motivation to once and for all get this gang of We-Don't-Know-What-They-Are going.
By 5 p.m. tonight we'll have the answer! Right now it's a fool's game to even guess!