The Dallas Stars faced yet another injury scare this season, with forward Mikko Rantanen taking a puck to the face during a game against the Minnesota Wild. Fortunately, he returned shortly after donning a protective faceguard.

Rantanen's incident marks him as the sixth player on the roster to suffer a facial injury this season, joining teammates Roope Hintz, Matt Dumba, Matt Duchene, Mavrik Bourque, and Mason Marchment. Some of these incidents have sidelined players for several games, with Marchment's injury requiring surgery and a recovery period extending beyond a month.

Nazem Kadri and Matt Coronato propelled the Calgary Flames to a much-needed 2-1 victory over the New York Rangers, ending a three-game losing streak. Kadri scored the equalizer in the first period, followed closely by Coronato's power-play goal, showcasing his talent with his 17th goal of the season. Defenseman MacKenzie Weegar assisted on both Flames goals, further solidifying his role in the offensive play. On the other end, Artemi Panarin marked his 30th goal of the season for the struggling Rangers, who faced a disappointing home record. Despite Igor Shesterkin's impressive 33-save performance, the Rangers were unable to capitalize, falling out of playoff contention with this loss.

On Tuesday night, the Calgary Flames secured a narrow 2-1 victory over the New York Rangers, snapping a three-game losing streak. Nazem Kadri and Matt Coronato found the back of the net in the first period, while defenceman MacKenzie Weegar assisted on both goals. Flames goalie Dan Vladar made 12 saves to preserve the win. Artemi Panarin notched his 30th goal of the season for the Rangers, but Igor Shesterkin faced a barrage of shots, recording 33 saves. The Rangers struggled offensively, managing only 13 shots on goal and falling out of the Eastern Conference wild-card picture.

Coronato’s power-play goal marked his 17th of the season, showcasing his emergence as a key contributor for the Flames. The Rangers are now feeling the pressure as they prepare to host the Toronto Maple Leafs, needing to rebound quickly after another disappointing home performance.

The New York Rangers' playoff hopes took a significant hit after a disheartening 2-1 loss to the Calgary Flames. Despite an early goal from Artemi Panarin, who extended his point streak to ten games, the Rangers couldn't maintain their momentum. From that point on, they faltered, failing to generate any real offensive pressure, ultimately managing only 13 shots on goal compared to Calgary's 35.

This lack of urgency has left the Rangers precariously outside the playoff picture, now one point behind the Montreal Canadiens and with 13 games left in the season. The loss highlighted ongoing issues with fundamentals and consistency, raising questions about the Rangers' ability to remain competitive as the season enters its final stretch.

The New York Rangers are at a critical juncture, struggling to secure a playoff spot as fans ponder where it all went wrong. The path to this point is littered with decisions that span years, with General Manager Chris Drury often taking the brunt of the criticism. While he has made some impactful moves, past management also plays a crucial role in shaping the team's current predicament.

Drafting has been a persistent issue, highlighted by two consecutive first overall picks that failed to blossom into franchise cornerstones. Kaapo Kakko and Alexis Lafrenière have not produced the expected results, and this is linked to inadequate coaching and development strategies. The Rangers’ previous coach, David Quinn, is often singled out for his ineffective handling of young talent, particularly Kakko, who was misused in a bottom-six role despite his offensive potential. The Rangers' decision to sign Artemi Panarin was aimed at accelerating the rebuild, but this reactive approach has led to further instability with the dismissal of Gorton and Davidson, halting any cohesive vision for the future.