In the previous four NHL seasons, the Rangers still were playing on May 22.
However, they aren’t playing this May 22.
During those four springs, there was fervent hope that the playoff runs would stretch into June. It happened only in 2014, when the Blueshirts marched to the Stanley Cup Final.
But this season’s edition of the Rangers — except for a handful of players who are competing in the IIHF World Championships — unlaced their skates a month ago.
They quickly were ousted by the Penguins, and the focus of the front office in late May and June is on the future rather than a postseason opponent.