NHL Playoff Race Heats Up: Can the Rangers Overcome the Odds? Key Battles Ahead in Final Stretch

The Rangers' Uphill Battle for a Playoff Spot

The New York Rangers, last season's Presidents' Trophy winners, now find themselves in a precarious position as the 2024-25 NHL season enters its final stretch. With just six games remaining, the Blueshirts trail the Montreal Canadiens by six points for the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot. Here’s what needs to happen for the Rangers to keep their playoff hopes alive:

Critical Games Ahead:

vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (April 7): Despite clinching a playoff berth, the Lightning are fighting for the Atlantic Division lead.
vs. Philadelphia Flyers (April 9): A must-win against a non-playoff team.
Road Trips: Games against the Islanders, Hurricanes, and Panthers—all playoff contenders—will test New York’s resilience.
Season Finale vs. Tampa Bay (April 16): Could this be a win-or-go-home scenario?

Meanwhile, the Canadiens have a slightly softer schedule, facing the Red Wings, Senators, Maple Leafs, Blackhawks, and Hurricanes. For the Rangers to overtake Montreal, they’ll likely need a 4-2 or 5-1 record down the stretch—and some help from Montreal’s opponents.

Updated Playoff Projections

Eastern Conference Outlook

Toronto Maple Leafs (A1) vs. Ottawa Senators (WC1)
Tampa Bay Lightning (A2) vs. Florida Panthers (A3)
Washington Capitals (M1) vs. Montreal Canadiens (WC2)
Carolina Hurricanes (M2) vs. New Jersey Devils (M3)

Western Conference Outlook

Winnipeg Jets (C1) vs. Minnesota Wild (WC2)
Dallas Stars (C2) vs. Colorado Avalanche (C3)
Vegas Golden Knights (P1) vs. St. Louis Blues (WC1)
Los Angeles Kings (P2) vs. Edmonton Oilers (P3)

Key Games to Watch (April 7-9)

Date	Matchup	Significance
Apr 7	Lightning @ Rangers	Rangers’ playoff hopes hinge on home ice.
Apr 8	Canadiens @ Red Wings	Montreal must avoid slipping against Detroit.
Apr 9	Hurricanes @ Rangers	A potential elimination game for New York.

Draft Lottery Watch

While the Rangers fight for the playoffs, others eye the future. The San Jose Sharks (50 points) are locked into the best odds for the No. 1 pick, with defenseman Matthew Schaefer (Erie Otters) as the projected top prospect. Teams like Chicago (54 points) and Nashville (62 points) round out the bottom three.

Conclusion

The Rangers’ path is narrow but not impossible. With a mix of grit, luck, and clutch performances, they could defy the odds—or join the growing list of Presidents’ Trophy winners who missed the postseason entirely. Stay tuned for nightly updates as the NHL’s playoff picture takes shape.

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