The Rangers snapped their three-game home losing streak with a vengeance, thanks to Sunday’s 7-0 thrashing of the Flyers at the Garden.
Now, to keep pace with the competition for the final two playoff spots in the ever-tightening Eastern Conference playoff race, the Rangers will have to continue their recent success away from home, as they head West this week for games tomorrow in Anaheim and Saturday in San Jose.
With 14 games to go in the regular season, the Rangers are precariously perched in seventh place in the conference. They are two points ahead of the Sabres, who have three games in hand, and three ahead of the ninth-place Hurricanes, who have two games in hand.
It would also be hard for the Rangers to not be keeping an eye on the Devils, who have won nine of their past 10 and are 10 points back with three games in hand.
To stay ahead of those foes, the Rangers will have to try to build on their streak. A key component to that has been the play of Henrik Lundqvist, who has allowed one goal or less in three of his last four games on the road, including shutting out the Capitals in a 6-0 win Feb. 25. His nine shutouts lead the NHL.
But the Rangers’ recent success on the road isn’t anything new. Their play away from the Garden has allowed them to stay in the playoff race, as their 20-13-1 road mark far exceeds their 15-16-3 record at home.
Their two upcoming opponents — the final two Western Conference foes the Rangers have on their schedule — still have plenty to play for. Anaheim is in a three-way tie for ninth place with 75 points. But in the incredibly tight Western Conference standings, the Ducks find themselves five points behind the fourth-place Blackhawks.
The Ducks are seven points behind the Pacific Division-leading Sharks, one of the hottest teams in hockey. Since Feb. 1, San Jose has gone 13-3-0, and had won eight straight before they lost Saturday night to the Stars.