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…points that is. The Rangers are in the midst of a three game losing streak, but have managed to pick up two points in two of those losses. While salvaging a point is nice, especially last night against Buffalo, it’s not enough. New York has one big thing, among a lot of other things, not going for itself — time. As it stands this afternoon the Rangers have played 66 games, leaving 16 remaining, and stand in 9th place in the conference, two points behind Boston. Just about every team in the conference, including Boston in front and Atlanta behind, have at least two games in hand on the Blueshirts. The only team to have played more games than the Rangers is Montreal, which has played 67. What does this all mean? Time is running out — and more importantly, the Rangers need to start winning, not salvaging one point.

Having said that, the loser’s mentality says the Rangers managed to get four points in four games since the Olympic break against four clearly superior teams. Not great, but not terrible. Does this make me feel great about things? Not a chance.

One thing I will say, and you can criticize me for being overly optimistic all you want but I’m just laying it out there, is that the Rangers have made it through the toughest part of their schedule. They will earn their way either in or out of the playoffs come April. The Rangers only play three games the rest of the way against any of the top five seeds in the conference, two against a struggling New Jersey team and one against Buffalo. No more Washington, Pittsburgh, or Ottawa, so that’s not too shabby. What’s left are a bunch of games against teams just ahead or behind New York in the standings.

Even better? 10 of the 16 remaining games are on the road, and yes, that’s a good thing.

Now I would be naive to say that this means we should expect the Rangers to rip through the remaining schedule and easily clinch a playoff berth. Post-season hockey at MSG is still very much in doubt.

A couple of thoughts to finish up: does this team actually play differently with Gaborik in the lineup? In four games without Gabby, New York has scored 14 goals. In the two games since he’s been back, the Rangers have only scored two goals. This makes absolutely no sense. To think an NHL team could actually take the foot off the pedal a little bit because its star player is back on the ice is absurd. However, numbers don’t lie…and I don’t know what else those numbers are trying to tell us.

Wade Redden. Why? Why is he even in the NHL anymore? He stinks. He’s on the ice for a limited time until his atrocious play gets him benched. Then he just gets in the way of a fan or two who have front row seats behind the Rangers bench. If someone can give me a rational explanation I’m all ears.

Consistency. It doesn’t exist, nor does it appear it ever will with this team. The Rangers are a broken record playing the same tune over and over and over again. One period with flashes of excitement and brilliance, four periods without a goal. Let’s not hold our breaths in expecting this to change.

Lots of negative to talk about once again, but still only two points out of the playoffs with 16 games remaining. That means the torture will continue, but hey, maybe something will give. Would sure be better late than never…

On a side note, did anyone attend the “Fire Sather” rally yesterday? I would love to hear about it. Also, be sure to check out our post-Olympic break podcast. As always get your comments/questions in at hosts@nyrangerscast.com.

Seen any good hockey games lately?

Seriously, if you’re a player in gold medal game, how do you go back to the NHL?  There is no question that the game on Sunday will be the peak of those players seasons, maybe even careers.  Has to be tough getting motivated to finish out a lackluster NHL season if you’re Chris Drury or Ryan Callahan. But they must, and they will.

Rangers get back to work this week, still trying to make the post-season.  They will be doing so with an actual backup goaltender. The team claimed goalie Alex Auld off waivers from the Stars.  Auld has a record of 9-6-3 this season with a 3.00 GAA. Not great numbers, but he provides experience in the net that Chad Johnson could not offer.

The Blueshirts have 20 games in the next 41 days, beginning with Ottawa tomorrow night.   They are still hurting a bit. Michael Del Zotto, with 50 stitches in his side, is questionable for the game.   Corey Potter was called up just in case. With the Swedish team not making it to the medal round, Henrik Lundqvist has had a couple days to rest.  Although I’m not sure if he knew what to do with himself during that time.

If you want to predict how the Rangers will do IF they make the playoffs?  Tune into the four games after Ottawa to find out.  Penguins, Capitals, Sabres, and Devils all in a row. Talk about coming back to a rough schedule. No time to readjust after the layoff.  Should be a fun 41 days.

…then take a seat on the couch and enjoy. Today boasts the most exciting slate of matchups of the Olympic games. Russia vs. Czech Republic, Canada vs. USA and Sweden vs. Finland, in that order. All six teams are medal contenders and could be playing for gold a week from today. The only potential contender left out of that bunch is Gabby’s Slovak team, but let’s not get too caught up in that.

I’ve been fortunate enough to see a couple games so far this Olympics, including Canada’s shootout win over Switzerland. Being at a Canadian game reminded me of a college hockey atmosphere. As much as I love the Garden and its environment, it’s still a professional arena. You have your businessmen after a day’s work, your die-hard fans, your families, etc. Here a Canadian hockey game feels like you’re in an arena with a bunch of rowdy college students at a Cornell hockey game — and that’s only having seen a game against Switzerland. Needless to say, today’s crowd will be electric and bragging rights are on the line. My shifts should allow me to make it to Russia/Czech and Canada/USA, so that’s what I’m hoping for.

While much of the spotlight is on the Canada/USA game, and rightfully so, don’t lose sight of the other two games. The early game boasts the arguably the world’s greatest player in Alexander Ovechkin and a hungry Russian team after getting upset by Gabby’s Slovak team. It’s also another chance to check out the ageless Jaromir Jagr, who hasn’t seemed to lose much pep in his step even at the ripe old (almost) age of 38. Ranger fans, and any fan of hockey for that matter, can appreciate what he has done over his career and this is (or should be) his final Olympic hoorah.

After the Canada/USA game, it’s a rematch of the 2006 gold medal match with Lundqvist and Sweden against Jokinen and Finland. Both teams are 2-0 and looking for a top seed heading into the elimination round. I got a chance to see Sweden against Germany and I wasn’t overly impressed. Hank got the 21 save shutout, but the Germans missed a couple of great chances to score. With that said, the Swedes still managed to win and not yield a goal even while not playing their best game. Definitely don’t sleep on them because the team is absolutely loaded. Finland looks like it’s also for real.

I know there has been some talk about stopping the NHL season to have the players in the Olympics, and that Gary Bettman hasn’t yet committed to Sochi. I love the idea of it though. I’ll take this over an all-star weekend any day. I know it creates a longer break and can make it difficult with scheduling, but it only happens once every four years. Today’s games are enough to make me want to see it again in Sochi. Every single team playing today could win the whole tournament. The fans are certainly into it, and the city is going nuts over it. If the only medal Canada won this Olympic games was gold in men’s hockey then I’m pretty sure this city, and country, would still be beside themselves with pride and excitement.

Whether you like the Olympic break or not, enjoy the three games today. It’s going to be fun.

Just wanted to let everyone know that the latest episode from the NYRangerscast is available. We talk about the latest trades, playoff positioning, and whether we want this team to even compete for a playoff berth coming down the stretch.

As a side note, Henrik looks like he has a new backup. Stephen Valliquette has cleared re-entry waivers.

That’s all that’s left before the two-week Olympic Break. Predators, Penguins, and Lightning still on the table for the inconsistent Rangers. The team currently sits tied for ninth in the Eastern Conference, two points out of a playoff position. That position is currently held by Tampa Bay. The Blueshirts are a dismal 3-7-0 in their last ten games.

To be quite honest, you’d think with this recent ten game stretch, and the fact that the Rangers struggle so mightily to get points to begin with, that this team would be much further out of contention. But they’re not. Is the East really that bad? Well, if the Rangers are only two points out of the playoffs, than yes.

You look at the teams the Rangers are competing with to get into the playoffs. Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Boston, Florida, Philadelphia…not exactly murderers row. There has been talk about the Rangers tanking the rest of the way out because they haven’t done anything to prove that they can compete in the playoffs, if they do in fact make it in. My question is, why?

To me, once the playoffs start anything can happen. Am I conceding that the Rangers have the ability to beat the Caps, Devils, Pens or Sabers in a 7-game series? No. Not even close. But why wouldn’t you want your team to at least have a shot. You’re telling me that you wouldn’t at least be excited if this team got the seventh seed and got to go up against the Devils? You’re telling me that if this team got the eighth seed, you wouldn’t be excited to see Hank go up against Jose Theodore in a seven game set?

I know this team isn’t very good. But to say you want them to tank, come on. If they get in and they get swept, they get swept. Not like anyone would expect much better. At least if they get in, they have a punchers chance.

In other news, Rangers superstar Marian Gaborik suffered a laceration on his right knee during practice today. According to Andrew Gross, the media has been told that the injury occurred during a breakaway drill when Gaborik got cut by Hanks skate. Gaborik was not taken to the hospital and it is unclear if he will play tomorrow night.

I won’t lie, looking at the standings earlier today made me rather depressed. With Boston’s shootout loss this afternoon New York is now in a three-way tie for ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings, two points out of a playoff spot. That may not sound too bad, but we all know it has been a brutal stretch for the Rangers. There really isn’t too much you can look at and be encouraged. Sure, they scored five goals against the Caps the other night, but they gave up six and lost the game. I know the Caps are clearly the best team in the NHL right now and in the midst of a 13-game winning streak, but New York should’ve won that game. Five goals, but too many penalties, turnovers, inconsistent play. There is rarely that game where the Blueshirts are clicking on all cylinders and come out with a win. Speaking of cylinders, check this ESPN power ranking comment from October 19 when the Rangers were 7-1.

“The Rangers, winners of seven straight, are hitting on all cylinders, from their peerless goaltending to an impressive young blue line to the hot hand of Marian Gaborik.”

Boy, does that feel like a long time ago.

As for what’s to come, who knows? The Rangers host the Devils tonight in what is sure to be a high-intensity game. Games between these two always are. In fact, the last time the Rangers played a really solid game, and what Eric coined as their best game of the season, was on January 12 against the Devils. What’s sad about that is they didn’t even score a goal, let alone win the game.

I’m encouraged by the trade and how it has played out so far. Jokinen cost the team with a couple penalties in the Caps loss, but he has already contributed on the offensive end. Donald Brashear is not playing, so that is great news as well. “The Maven” claims that trade will propel the Rangers into the playoffs and past the first-round. All signs are pointing to that not being true, but there still is time.

And that brings me to the topic that has been brought up by many of you: do you hope the Rangers continue spiraling into this tailspin in hopes for a good draft pick and some rebuilding? While I understand the rationale behind this feeling, I just can’t bring myself to doing it right now. When your favorite team is only two points out of a playoff spot with 24 games remaining, I just can’t root against them. I don’t care how bad it has been (and it has been dreadful), but I still want this team to have success. All you need to do is get into the playoffs. You do that and who knows what can happen. It was only a few years ago when 8th seeded Edmonton upset Detroit and eventually went on to the Cup finals. Do I expect the Rangers to do the same? Of course not. But the point is this team has a goaltender who can steal games, and almost a series if you go back to last year’s playoffs. It also has one of the most dangerous offensive players in the game today who can, like in Colorado, single-handedly be your offense. Obviously this is not a recipe for sustained success and that’s why the Rangers are where they are now. But get in the playoffs and let’s see what happens. I know many will disagree with me, but you won’t get me to bail on this team this season just yet.

UPDATE: Multiple sources are reporting that the Devils have acquired Atlanta’s Ilya Kovalchuck. Early indications are that it cost the Devils three players (Oduya, Bergfors, Patrice Cormier) and a first-round draft pick. Let’s hope New Jersey can’t get a contract extension worked out (if it hasn’t been already, which I expect would be part of the deal) and Kovalchuck becomes a free agent in the summer.

It would’ve been awesome to see Kovalchuck come to the Rangers, but if what The Post reported as to what the asking price was from the Rangers, then I have no problem with this deal not getting done. Del Zotto or Staal, Callahan or Dubinsky, Stepan or Kreider AND a first-round draft pick is ABSURD. I would NEVER do that trade and would be fuming if Sather did that. Clear some cap room and hope that Kovalchuck is available in the summer. Otherwise, let’s see what Jokinen can add for now. So far, so good tonight.

Well, it’s finally done. So long Ales Kotalik and Christopher Higgins. Hello Olli Jokinen and Brandon Prust. I think a lot of my feelings echo with everyone else as well as Eric, but here are my thoughts on the deal.

As much as we all love to hate Glen Sather, the guy really does find a way to make some impressive trades. To me this is a low risk, high reward trade. The upside of Jokinen is tremendous. Yes he struggled mightily in Calgary, but we all know about his success in the Eastern Conference. His style of play also fits well with what Torts wants this team to be. If he continues to struggle then it’s obviously unfortunate for him and the Rangers, but he will become an unrestricted free agent at the season’s end. If he thrives playing with Gaborik, I agree with Eric, maybe the Rangers can bring him back for a reasonable price.

In terms of Prust, he’s a scrappy guy who will bring some physicality to this team. He won’t give you a lot of minutes, but that’s to be expected. Based on all the comments I was reading on TSN he seemed well-liked in Calgary, much more than we can say about Donald Brashear (good riddance and FINALLY!).

The Rangers really don’t lose much at all in this deal. Even if Higgins or Kotalik, or both, pick up their games in Calgary I won’t feel too badly about it. It seemed clear that Kotalik was never going to play well, or play at all for that matter, as long as Torts was manning the bench. Higgins also seemed like a lost cause to me in New York. He underachieved and looked overwhelmed at times playing in New York. I’m ecstatic that this move was made without trading away Matt Gilroy. I even heard rumors, which were just that, that Callahan was potentially the other piece in the deal instead of Higgins. Thankfully that was not the case. That would’ve been idiotic.

Torts says both Prust and Jokinen will play tonight in LA. I’m pretty excited to see how this all shakes out. Like I mentioned, if Jokinen doesn’t perform it will stink, but the Rangers lost nothing in the deal. We’ll just have to hope it pans out. Maybe Jokinen’s game is resurrected and he can help an offense that is in desperate need of some firepower.

PS: How about this bold prediction from The Maven…“I predict that this trade will turn the Rangers in a significantly upward direction, guaranteeing a playoff berth and more than a first-round performance.”

Interesting headline, right?

Big win for the Rangers tonight…check that…big win for Marian Gaborik tonight as he single handidly defeated the Avalanche 3-1. Chalk up a win, and a near shutout, for Chad Johnson.

But the big news of the day is the potential Ales Kotalik/Chris Higgins trade. Kotalik did not make the trip to Colorado and was sent home to await a possible trade. The trade that is in question is Kotalik/Higgins for Olli Jokinen and Brandon Prust. The deal has yet to be finalized but TSN is reporting that it will happen.

To me, this is a great trade for the Rangers. It’s been obvious that both Kotalik and Higgins have fell out of favor with Coach Tortorella. Neither has been producing much either. Kotalik is in the first year of a 3-year/$9 million contract. Higgins is making $2.25 mil this season. Jokinen is making $5.25 this season but will become a UFA next year. He has 11 goals and 24 assists this season. To me, this free’s up some salary for next season while improving the team this season as well. Jokinen should be able to give the Rangers more than what Kotalik and Higgins were able to give.

The second part of the headline deals with Glen Sather. If you’ve listened to todays podcast (available now on Itunes) you know that both Erik and I are hoping the Rangers fire Slats during the Olympic Break. While that may not happen, a change could be a brewing for the offseason. According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, it is believed that “This could be the final season for Glen Sather in a dual role as president/GM of the Rangers. The belief is he’ll remain president with Mark Messier taking over as GM.”

While Sather would still be around, he wouldn’t be acting as GM if this scenario were to occur. Plenty of things to discuss. What are your thoughts on the potential trade with Calgary and the move to make Mark Messier GM?

UPDATE: The deal has finally been completed. Both Jokinen and Prust are expected to be with the Rangers tonight against LA. Love the deal. To me, you’re getting rid of two unproductive guys for a semi-productive guy and a enforcer that you desperately need. Also, you’re getting rid of one bad contract and not taking on anymore money at the end of the season. While the Rangers aren’t saving money towards this years cap, this deal frees up $3 million dollars for the each of the next two years. And who knows, if Jokinen is productive, maybe the Rangers will resign for less than the $5.25 million he’s making this year. This deal also signals the end for Donald Brashear. Win, win, and win. Thoughts?

Here’s to a win!

Well, at least the Rangers broke the shut out streak! And by Rangers, I mean Artem Anisimov. That’s a small step in the right direction. As we all know, New York hosts bottom-feeder Carolina tonight. If the Rangers don’t win tonight then tell me why we shouldn’t throw in the white flag. Okay, maybe because they will have 28 games remaining still after that. But, we all know the Rangers don’t deserve much if they can’t beat the worst team in the conference when they desperately need a win.

If you look ahead, there are even more reasons why New York needs two points desperately tonight. After tonight, there are eight games remaining before the Olympic break. Of those eight games, seven are against better teams in terms of record (the last game against Tampa is the only team below New York in the standings as it stands this afternoon). What makes this even more difficult is that after tonight, the Rangers head on a three game road trip @Phoenix, @Colorado and @LA. In the last few years that might not sound so bad. However, all three of those teams are in the top six of the Western Conference. The Rangers have actually beaten LA and Phoenix at home already earlier in the season, but that was months ago and this will be in the midst of an extended road trip. So, New York, you want to prove you are a playoff team, now would be a good time to start winning again.

It really amazes me the Rangers are still in the seven seed in the standings right now despite three straight losses. Eric and I have talked about how tight it is in the standings from around the 6-13 seeds yet the Rangers haven’t won a game in more than a week and are still in position to make the playoffs. Crazy if you ask me. That just goes to show how poorly some of the other teams are playing (Boston most noticeably). That almost tells me if there was a time to have a mini-slump, the Rangers picked the most opportune time. On the flip side of that coin, had the Rangers not fallen into this slump we would be talking about them being closer to that five or six seed with some breathing room behind them.

At this point, what’s done is done. The simple fact of the matter is the Rangers need to go out and get a win tonight at home before they head on the Western Conference road trip. This team needs some confidence before that trip because clearly any that it had from the back-to-back wins over Montreal and Tampa is completely gone. Maybe scoring twice and playing a competitive game against the Penguins will help them, but once again we are merely talking about playing with the Penguins, not beating them.

A couple of side notes. I will be on the live blog tonight so be sure to join in on that. Also, I fly out to Vancouver bright and early tomorrow. If all goes according to plan and I get out there alright, Eric and I were going to try to get a podcast in tomorrow night so stay tuned for that. Remember to get your questions/comments in at hosts@nyrangerscast.com.

Let’s hope for a win tonight!