Before the NHL season was put on hold, the Rangers were unexpectedly fighting for a playoff spot. A hot January and February put the Rangers fourth in the wild card hunt with 79 points, just two points back of WC2 Columbus. The Blueshirts would also have to leapfrog the Islanders (80 points, two games in hand).
Making up points and spots in the standings is difficult in the NHL. The loser point has created an illusion of playoff competition for teams that really aren’t competing, and it makes harder for these teams, even if they do get hot, to make up ground.