As the tension heightens in the NHL, the New York Rangers find themselves in a precarious situation, teetering on the edge of playoff contention. Their upcoming face-off against the Winnipeg Jets takes on a heightened sense of urgency. The Jets, comfortably nestled at the top of the Western Conference, have their own challenges to tackle. This eagerly anticipated clash of titans on Tuesday night has implications for both teams.
In a race for the wild-card playoff spots, the Rangers are feeling the heat, trailing behind the Senators and the Blue Jackets. The latter teams not only hold a slim lead but also have the advantage of at least one game in hand. The recent defeats have stung the Rangers, but they are determined not to wallow in despair.
Rangers’ forward J.T. Miller expressed his team’s sentiments, emphasizing their focus on the road ahead rather than dwelling on past defeats. “We don’t have time to pout”, said Miller, adding, “it’s not good enough and I know we’ll be better next game.”
Echoing Miller’s determination, Rangers’ head coach Peter Laviolette emphasized the need to move forward. The team is a point out and Laviolette is keen on collecting points on the road. “You’ve got to move on,” said Laviolette. “We’ve got to get back to work. We’re still sitting here a point out we’ve got to get on the plane and go get some points on the road.”
The Winnipeg Jets, despite leading the Western Conference with an impressive 92 points, are not without their own challenges. With Dallas and Colorado beefing up their teams at the trade deadline, the Jets feel the pressure to hold their position atop the Central Division.
Jets’ head coach Scott Arniel emphasized the importance of learning from each game. Reflecting on their 4-2 defeat to Carolina, he said, “Lesson learned. You know, we see teams like that come at us with pressure, we just got to make sure that we get some inside attacks and take it from there.”
Jets’ forward Cole Perfetti mirrored his coach’s sentiment, highlighting the lessons from their recent 2-2 road trip. “We’re just going to take what we can from this and learn from it, and move on, and go home and have a couple of good games,” said Perfetti.
The Jets are also grappling with potential injuries. Center Vladislav Namestnikov’s status for Tuesday’s game remains uncertain after a hit from Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal. Namestnikov might be facing a seven-day concussion protocol. Rasmus Kupari, another Jets’ center, has already missed three games due to concussion protocol.
As both teams gear up for Tuesday’s showdown, they remain focused on the task at hand. The Rangers are desperate for a win, while the Jets aim to solidify their position in the league. The game is set to be a thrilling encounter, with plenty at stake for both sides.