{"id":231478,"date":"2021-04-20T20:43:33","date_gmt":"2021-04-20T17:43:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/nhl-realignment-hasnt-impacted-rangers-playoff-push\/"},"modified":"2021-04-20T20:43:33","modified_gmt":"2021-04-20T17:43:33","slug":"nhl-realignment-hasnt-impacted-rangers-playoff-push","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/nhl-realignment-hasnt-impacted-rangers-playoff-push\/","title":{"rendered":"#NHL realignment hasn\u2019t impacted Rangers\u2019 playoff push"},"content":{"rendered":"

“#NHL realignment hasn\u2019t impacted Rangers\u2019 playoff push<\/strong>”<\/p>\n

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In a world of what-ifs, let\u2019s tackle this one: what if the divisional alignment had not been changed this season to accommodate the coronavirus and the Rangers were in the old \u2014 what was it called again? Oh, right \u2014 Metropolitan Division battling it out with clubs from the \u2014 wait a second, it will come to me \u2014 Atlantic for a wild card spot?<\/p>\n

First, can we stipulate that the names of NHL divisions are so forgettable and divorced from consciousness that they should all be renamed in advance of the next season in which the league returns to a semblance of normalcy. Given the status of the virus in Canada, there would seem no guarantee that return to the routine will happ<\/a>en next season.<\/p>\n

But back to the original question. What if the Rangers hadn\u2019t been dropped into this powerhouse East division to compete for one of four available postseason invites, no allowance for wild cards?<\/p>\n

Of course, the East hasn\u2019t been all that much of a powerhouse division, at all, has it, with the bottom-feeding Sabres and Devils awarding door prizes to their opponents while the Flyers have become a doormat the last six weeks?<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s acknowledge that of course all teams\u2019 records would be different playing under a typical schedule. Just as when attempting to extrapolate what the standings would be under a system under which each game<\/a> would be worth three points (three points for a regulation victory, two for an overtime or shootout triumph, one for an OT or SO defeat and none for losing in 60 minutes), of course we can not determine what teams\u2019 records would be if playing all 30 opponents and not only seven or six of them.<\/p>\n

But for this alternate-universe exercise, let us presume that teams would essentially maintain their current standing. And what would that mean for the Rangers and their playoff pursuit that resumes Tuesday night at the Coliseum against the Islanders?<\/p>\n

Why, it would remain that the Blueshirts would be in exactly the same place as they are right now, attempting to chase down the Bruins for the final available tournament berth. Yes, the Rangers would still be six points out of the final wild-card spot with Boston holding two precious games in hand with suddenly just two-plus weeks remaining in the season.<\/p>\n

The \u2018Canes, in this year\u2019s Central, would be in first place in the Metro, a point ahead of the Caps, who would be (and are) two points ahead of the Islanders, who would be (and are) one point ahead of the Penguins in the battle for the three divisional slots.<\/p>\n

On the other side, the Panthers would be (and are) one point ahead of the Lightning, who would be (and are) one point up on the Maple Leafs, who would be (and are) five points ahead of the Bruins in the race for the three Atlantic spots.<\/p>\n