In Newsday today, Steve Zipay writes about the Rangers looking towards the second half of the season. The Rangers have won four straight games heading into their tilt with the Islanders, but as Zipay notes, there is still plenty of hockey left to play:

Still, any playoff scenarios are premature. The impact of the Winter Olympics and the trade deadline are certain to alter the balance in the East, where the eighth-place Rangers are four points away from the fifth-place Bruins but only five points above 14th place.

…Zipay is right. This winning streak shows that the Rangers have potential to win games, something that certain people didn’t think they could a few weeks ago. It brings renewed hope to the season, but the Olympics are going to be a big deal.

Both Henrik Lundqivst and Marian Gaborik, the Rangers top two players, are going to the games and Lundqvist especially will start to wear down because of the added pressure and games.

On the other hand, plenty of hockey left also means that the Rangers have more time to continue to play consistently and “become a team” as John Tortorella wants.