How Much Should Igor Play?
With 26 games remaining the Rangers look all but assured of a playoff spot. They currently sit second in the Metropolitan Division, 18 points ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who are currently placed third in the wild card race.
To put it another way, even if Columbus won their last 26 games, the Rangers would need to just continue their current season pace, and they’d be assured of a playoff spot. If for some reason the Rangers were to falter, and go say 13-13-0 across the remainder of their schedule, they’d still finish with 103 points, which would require Columbus to go 22-3-1 to close the season.