The Rangers Have Found "The Make The Playoffs Formula"

The Rangers are back and suddenly, the playoffs seem like a reality.

The Rangers "Playoffs Or Bust" theme is as simple as one-two-three.

1. Start Igor Shesterkin over and over again until he's exhausted.

2. Keep beating offensively challenged Humpty Teams like Ottawa, (5-0) last night.

3. Always play goal hungry Matt Rempe because the Rangers never lose – as The Maven has said a thousand times – when he's in the lineup.

And you can bet your bottom buck that Shesty will face John Tortorella's Flyers tomorrow night at MSG. AND Rempe may even score his second goal of the season. All big because he's 6-8!

The Maven asked my Vice President in Charge of Non-Analytics for some thoughts and Jess Rubenstein put Igor Shesterkin's shutout in its proper perspective:

"Igor was hardly tested because the Rangers played a super, solid defensive game," says Rubenstein. "They limited Ottawa to just 20 shots. Also, New York is unbeatable when Matt Rempe scores."

What also helped – a lot! – was that Ottawa started Leevi Merilainen who is the lowest goalie on the Senators totem pole. He got yanked in the second period after which the Rangers went into cruise control.

"The other thing to note," says The Old Scout, "is that time is on the Rangers' side. The season is just past its half-way point and they're heading in the right direction."

Another positive factor – other than Rempe's highlight goal – included the reawakening of Poppa Bear Alexis (I'm Alive) Lafreniere who got a goal and an assist.

Torts-led Philadelphia, which was picked by The Hockey News Yearbook to finish seventh – next to last – in the Metro Division, is playing over its head but still is one of the Humpties.

"They can beat Philly" adds The Old Scout, "but after that it's Colorado, Carolina and Boston. After those three we'll know a lot better where New York will finish."

Or, as The Maven says, just keep playing Shesterkin and Rempe and everything will come up roses.

Including a playoff berth!