Morgan Barron is having an impressive season for the Hartford Wolf Pack. Unfortunately for him, barring any injury to the forward group, it’s unlikely he will play a game in the remaining six. That’s because the Blueshirts are very much in a playoff hunt with two game sets to go against the Islanders, Capitals, and Bruins.
Am I ruling it out? No. But unless the Rangers are mathematically eliminated, it is hard to see David Quinn sit any of the players that got them this far.
Morgan Barron’s excellent AHL season
The Rangers sixth round draft pick in 2017 is on a point per game pace in his first pro season. With 10 goals and 11 assists he leads the Wolf Pack in goals, points, power play goals (6) and plus/minus (+8). Among AHL rookies his 10 goals is tied for third.
An impressive debut season for the 22 year-old forward. What’s most impressive is that the Blueshirts are working to convert him from a winger into a center, and thus far it is showing promise. Barron may not make an appearance on Broadway this season, but expect him to compete in camp next year as a pivot.
Rangers playoff situation
The Rangers face the Islanders tonight who have had a rough month of April so far going 7-5-1 for 15 points. Not bad, but both the Rangers and Bruins continue to narrow the gap picking up 22 and 21 points respectively.
A big problem for the Blueshirts playoff chances is Taylor Hall settling into a groove with the Bruins as he has four goals since the trade from Buffalo. Even though the Rangers remain one of the hottest teams in the NHL passing an almost equally hot Boston team will be hard.
The Bruins hold two games in hand, which in theory says their four point lead on the Rangers could be eight. For the Blueshirts, the Isles represent the best chance to get in. If (and that’s a BIG IF) they can win this two game set against them, they will be one point behind with four games to go. The Islanders hold a one game advantage to in theory it is a three point lead. Not insurmountable.
Like David Quinn and the rest of the team has been saying, take it one game at a time.
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