In what was a crucial game for the New York Rangers, they went 0-6 on the power play, did not pick up the extra man in front and ultimately, could not get the job done in a 4-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.

The team faces an uphill battle as they now hold the 8th spot in the Eastern Conference, just one point behind the Montreal Canadiens, who beat the New York Islanders tonight by a score of 5-1.

Not only do the Blueshirts have a tough game coming up against the Bruins on Saturday afternoon, but the Florida Panthers, who are now just two points behind the Rangers, have a game against the Atlanta Thrashers tomorrow night. This means that come Saturday afternoon, the Rangers could be tied with the Panthers for the eighth spot in the conference. 

This is not a position that the Rangers should want to be in as a playoff series against one of the top teams in the NHL could prove to be difficult. Yes, the club has been somewhat successful against the B’s in the regular season but the Stanley Cup playoffs are a whole different monster.

Don’t count the Rangers out of the playoffs yet but at the same time, beware that you may go into cardiac arrest multiple times for the next week or so.