Race for the playoffs: the Rangers are discouraged

The Red Wings are ahead of the Rangers because they have a game in hand. But if the Canadiens win tonight, the Detroit team will find itself in the same position as the Rangers.

Yesterday, the Rangers lost. They have five games left to catch up with the Canadiens, who have 85 points. It will be tough to do.

The New York team, which is one of the big disappointments in the NHL this year (we also say hello to the Predators and the Bruins), is really lining up to miss the playoffs.

Clearly, Chris Drury did not manage to create a family atmosphere through his decisions throughout the season. At the habs, this is an aspect that has really made a difference.

And in the Rangers’ locker room, you can feel that the guys are discouraged.

Peter Laviolette (we seem to understand in New York why he changes teams like he changes socks or not yet?) has no message for his players right now because he doesn’t go into the locker room after games.

It’s different from the family atmosphere in Montreal, a team that (on paper) doesn’t really have a reason to be ahead of the Rangers in 2024-2025.

The guys in the Montreal locker room believe in it. There is no Artemi Panarin talking about the team’s “terrible” game. The guys clearly know they’re going to miss the playoffs in the Big Apple.

Note that right now, the Canadiens have a 87.2% chance of making the playoffs – so almost seven chances out of eight. A win tonight would bring the habs to over 90% chance, according to MoneyPucks. Still.

Winning tonight would be a big blow for the Canadiens, then.

Overtime

– Luckily, he went to get help.

– Martin McGuire and Dany Dubé: 1500 games. [LP]

– Certainly.

– Wow.

– To follow. #IvanDemidov

– Nice.