Last year’s Capitals established the eastern conference’s 82-game low-bar standard since 2005-06, when the guaranteed victory and losers’ point were introduced to the NHL, by qualifying for the final playoff spot with 91 points But guess what?

To do so, the Rangers must play their best hockey on their upcoming road trip. The team faces off against three Western Conference squads, the Los Angeles Kings, the Anaheim Ducks

After playing nine games in 14 days — with mixed results (3-5-1) — the Rangers earned themselves a flight across the country and five straight days in Los Angeles, with only o