The Rangers' Midseason Report (In Graphical Form)

If you want to know I've felt every day over the past 3 months, just review the preceding graph. Every up-tick was a good day, every downturn a nightmare, and the three rare plateaus (against Detroit, Edmonton and Washington) each a case of opportunities squandered.

Since it'll probably require more than 10 games above 0.500 to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference this year (I'm predicting it'll require 93 points, or 11 games above 0.500, despite the fact that right now a mere 3 games above would put you in 8th place), the Rangers clearly still have a lot of work left to do. Every analysis of them this season has mentioned how many weaknesses they have, even when they were at the top of their conference standings. They'll also have 5 more road games than home games in the 2nd half, including a 5-game trip that starts later this week. Therefore, while they've admittedly had a respectable first half, it's going to be a tough test the rest of the way. I just have to hope they don't collapse as they've done so regularly in recent years (6 straight losses to close out the 2005/06 season comes to mind!).