The Playoff Race Is Heating Up And The Rangers Are Right In The Middle Of It

The Rangers glass is half-full which is better than half-empty.

Getting a point as they did last night from Washington is a half-full deal because the Capitals are – give or take Winnipeg – one of the league's two best teams.

But it's not full-full because the Blueshirts blew a third-period lead at The Garden and lost a win-able two points in overtime.

"They also lost their place in the Wild Card race to Ottawa," says The Old Scout. "But they should beat the Senators on Saturday in Ottawa. Should, that is; will is another story."

Fine, except let's not look ahead until later when right now we have to question why exalted coach Peter Laviolette couldn't squeeze more than 17 shots out of his offense.

"Fortunately," The Old Scout adds, "a grunt like Sam Carrick got one for them and Breadman's goal tells me that he's awakened from his siesta."

We know that Mika Zibanejad is alive since he offered a cleansing comment when the curtain fell after Tom Wilson's overtime goal. "We played well," says The Magic Z.

Yeah, they played well enough until Alex Ovechkin tied it at 2-2 on a power play goal from a cockeyed angle that Emperor Igor Shesterkin should have stopped.

"But, then again," adds The Old Scout, "who does stop Ovie these days."

All in all, you have to say that the Rangers are a better team right now without the injured Adam Fox and Chris Kreider, plus it's nice to know that K'Andre Miller is playing well enough not to be traded.

Now for The Maven's Ancient History lesson. 

Does anyone remember what significant hockey events took place between last November 14-19?

YESS! That's the last time the Beloved Blueshirts won three games in a row. (Next fall it should be declared a civic holiday.)

Taking their half-full glass to Ottawa for a matinee, the Rangers are secure in the knowledge that they are in the midst of their playoff challenge. It's as refreshing as Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray Tonic.

Columbus comes in to MSG on Sunday. That should be fun unless Matt Rempe loses his head and starts in again with Mathieu Olivier. (Then, The Skating Giraffe really will get his head handed to him.)

The Maven predicts a double-win for New York so that by Midnight Sunday the glass not only will be full; it'll be overflowing!