Regarding the Rangers, on a two-game heater and 4-1-1 in their six games going into Colorado on Tuesday before closing the road swing in Utah on Thursday:
1. For the first time in months, the Blueshirts seem connected on and off the ice. There is purpose to their game. There is commitment to the unit. Work ethic has returned. So has credibility.
But as the Rangers sit four points back of the final playoff spot with five teams to pass, this recent uptick probably won’t have a dramatic effect on the hierarchy’s plan approaching the March 7 trade deadline.
Rest assured, general manager Chris Drury will not be in the rental market to plug holes to make a run at the second wild card. The organization won’t sacrifice next year or the year after that for a few playoff gates.