Rangers in fight for playoffs at break

Despite the best start in franchise history, Connor McDavid Jerseythe New York Rangers are in a fight to make the playoffs heading into the NHL All-Star break. With 33 games left in the regular season, the defending Presidents' Trophy winners are in second place in the Metropolitan Division behind the front-running Washington Capitals. It's a playoff spot.http://www.officialoilersteamshop.com/Womens_Youth_Connor_Mcdavid_Jersey It's also close to being on the outside, too. The Rangers' 59 points (27-17-5) are only four more than the New Jersey Devils (25-20-5), who are No. 9 in the Eastern Conference, and just outside the playoff picture. What is concerning is that the Rangers have posted an 11-14-3 record since their 16-3-2 start. They have not looked anything like the http://www.officialoilersteamshop.com/Womens_Youth_Connor_Mcdavid_Jerseyteam that lost to Tampa Bay in the Eastern Conference finals last season or the one that went to the Stanley Cup finals in the prior season. Power plays have produced two goals in 13 games. The usually reliable penalty kill recently gave up eight goals in as many games. Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who was spectacular in the opening run, had some ordinary moments, and other players have not lived up to expectations. Rick Nash had 32 goals at Jack Eichel Youth Jerseythis point last season. He has 20 fewer goals this season and 15 fewer points. Chris Kreider (9 goals, 14 assists) has not taken that step to the next level and defenseman Dan Girardi had struggled this season. If there is good news for New York, it has posted a 6-3-1 record in the last 10 games. The team is playing http://www.officialsabresteamshop.com/Womens_Youth_Jack_Eichel_Jersey exceptionally well in five on five situations, and it is getting big seasons from Derick Brassard (17 goals, 19 assists) and Mats Zuccarello (18 goals, 15 assists), and recent surge from J.T. Miller (13 goals, 12 assists). Defenseman Ryan McDonagh has really picked up his game in recent weeks. Not only does he have a goal and six assists in the last eight games, he has been dominating on both ends of the ice. The key now is to finish the season the way they did last season. New York went 23-7-3 in its playoff push, with most of those games coming with Cam Talbot taking over in goal after Lundqvist sustained a throat injury. Lundqvist is healthy heading into the break, posting a 2.25 goals against average with a .922 save percentage.