If everything goes right for the New York Rangers, they could find themselves four points out of a playoff spot by the end of the evening. That’s a position that no one could have predicted even one month ago and it is really complicating the trade deadline strategy for Jeff Gorton and the Blueshirts brass.
Starting Igor Shesterkin in back to back games and not holding any potential trade bait out of the contest is a concession to coach David Quinn’s desire to keep pushing for a playoff spot. While some may think it is foolhardy to risk an injury to the most valuable piece of trade bait the Rangers have had in years, the Rangers are going all out and will continue to even if they trade their red hot left winger.