With just four games left in the regular season, the New York Rangers are on the verge of clinching the Metropolitan Division title and edging closer to securing their fourth Presidents’ Trophy in franchise history. Moreover, the odds are increasingly favorable for the Rangers to claim the Stanley Cup.
Currently, the Rangers require just four points to solidify the top seed in the Metropolitan Division. With a five-point lead over the Carolina Hurricanes, it appears likely that the Rangers will clinch the division crown, positioning them to face either of the wild-card teams in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The determination of their opponent hinges on whether they can clinch the top spot in the Eastern Conference and, potentially, the Presidents’ Trophy. According to moneypuck.com, the Rangers hold an 88.5 percent chance of securing the No. 1 spot in the NHL standings. However, with close competition from the Boston Bruins and Dallas Stars, who trail closely with 107 points each, the race remains tight. Dallas holds a 6.9 percent chance of claiming the Presidents’ Trophy, while Boston trails with a 3.8 percent chance.
The Rangers’ favorable schedule toward the end of the season contributes significantly to their high odds of winning the Presidents’ Trophy. Following their victory over the Montreal Canadiens, who are out of playoff contention, they are set to face the New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers, and Islanders again. Although these division rivals are still vying for playoff spots, they are not considered elite opponents. The Rangers conclude the season against the Ottawa Senators, a team that has long been eliminated from playoff contention.
Another noteworthy statistic is the Rangers’ current probability of winning the Stanley Cup. Moneypuck currently places the Rangers at a 14.2 percent chance, the highest in the League. Following closely behind are the Toronto Maple Leafs (11.7 percent), Carolina Hurricanes (10.3 percent), and Vancouver Canucks (9.6 percent).
With only six losses dating back to January 27 (24-5-1), the Rangers’ dominance is evident. Coach Peter Laviolette has begun rotating forwards and defensemen in and out of the lineup for the remaining games, a strategic move to provide all rostered players with playing time and to afford some players much-needed rest. Notably, Jack Roslovic and Erik Gustafsson were scratched against the Canadiens.
Projected to finish with 115 points, the Rangers are on track to achieve the highest single-season point total in franchise history, potentially surpassing the current record of 113 points set in 2014-15. The victory over Montreal also tied the franchise record for most wins in a single season (53).
For the Rangers, the focus remains on taking each game one at a time and navigating the remainder of the regular season without any injuries. Laviolette emphasizes the importance of this approach, stating that finishing atop the League standings would be a welcomed bonus.