Blueshirts Head Into Break On High

Back on December 6th, the New York Rangers gave up a 2-0 lead on the road to lose to the Detroit Red Wings 3-2. The loss left the team with an 11-10-4 record, placing them two points behind the Capitals for fourth in the Metropolitan, and five points behind the Maple Leafs and Bruins for the second wild card spot.
At the same time, the Penguins and Islanders had built up a 12 point lead over the Rangers, and threatened to run away from the pack. Yes, the Blueshirts did have a game in hand on Pittsburgh and Washington, and two in hand on the Isles, but it looked as if the only chance the Rangers would have of making the post-season was to outplay the Capitals.
