Just when it appeared that the Rangers might — might — have been gaining at least a smidgen of traction, they lost not only a 3-0 first-period lead, they lost not only a 4-3 third-period lead, they lost not only a 5-4 overtime game to Dallas at the Garden on Monday, but they also lost their tenuous foothold.
For despite picking up a point that actually gave the Blueshirts their best four-game stretch (2-1-1) since the third week of November, they lost ground to two of the six teams they are chasing for the final playoff wild-card spot.
And oh, they also lost Filip Chytil to an unidentified upper-body injury he apparently sustained in the second period. No. 72 is being evaluated, according to head coach Peter Laviolette.
What did Steve Perry tell you?