Regarding the Rangers, three points out of last overall, notwithstanding games in hand on fellow bottom-feeders, and on the road to get there.
1. The playoffs are more of a pipe dream than ever following one win in the past seven games (1-2-4) and three in the past 14 (3-6-5), so the debate can cease whether it would be good or bad for the franchise to somehow find a way into the tournament as first-round fodder. Rather, it is time for David Quinn to start coaching toward the trade deadline and build the value of his players, even if that might not align with the short-time objective of winning the next game.