NHL Playoffs 2012: New York Rangers Should Be Worried

The New York Rangers may have finished with the most points in the Eastern Conference by the end of the regular season, but they are not only in danger of losing steam—they are in danger of losing to the seventh-seeded Washington Capitals.

The Rangers rank 11th out of 16 teams this postseason in goals per game. Scoring has been their problem in the rough-and-tumble playoffs, whether it be against the Capitals or the eighth-seeded Ottawa Senators in the first round.

The Rangers haven't exactly been a high-scoring squad this season in general. They ranked 11th in goals per game during the regular season.

It's been the Rangers' defense that has propelled the team this season, but not even a strong 21-save performance from goaltender Henrik Lundqvist could stop them from losing 2-1 against the Capitals in Game 6.

The Rangers do play at home in Game 7, however, so you would have to believe they'll come through in this series. But even if they make it past the Capitals, you don't see them advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals, especially against the red-hot New Jersey Devils.

And it's not just the Rangers' play during the postseason that should have them worried. After Game 7 on Saturday, they will have played two seven-game series back-to-back. That naturally takes a toll on a team, and I wouldn't be surprised if they completely bombed in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Devils.

It won't matter if the Rangers beat the Capitals on Saturday. They aren't winning the Stanley Cup this season.