The Metropolitan Division in the NHL is rough, but this is only one reason the New York Rangers should target the No. 1 Wild Card slot.

Winners of three straight while The King, Henrik Lundqvist, was playing like his 2010 version, the Blueshirts played host to the hated Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night.

They lost. While outplaying the team who wears orange and always thinks the’re better than they actually are, it was Philly who stole one by the final of 2-0. Lundqvist still played solid and, overall, the defensive structure of Alain Vigneault‘s squad held firm.

This loss isn’t the end of the world — despite what you may see on Twitter.

As it currently stands, New York finds itself in fourth place in the Metropolitan Division — the division the hockey gods may have borrowed from the hockey devil himself. The Washington Capitals, Columbus Blue Jackets (hello, Torts) and Pittsburgh Penguins all skate above the Rangers at the moment. The Stanley Cup Champions are currently two points clear of the Blueshirts.

For New York, this is a good thing.

We’ll now examine why fourth in the Metro is a good thing, providing multiple reasons for this crazy yet obvious theory:

Play in the Atlantic Bracket

Growing up, there was no Eastern Conference from my little kid point of view. Instead, the Waales Conference deployed two Divisions, the Patrick and the Adams.

The Stanley Cup Playoffs on the Wales side showcased two different brackets. Each division, the Patrick and Adams, brought four teams to the party. Not until the Conference finals did the victor of each fight it out.

In 1993, the powers that be scrapped it and went with a one through eight seeding in each conference, the Eastern and Western. Suddenly, as of a few seasons ago, we’ve come full circle and the first two rounds of the playoffs showcase a divisional bashing. 

However, there is one slight alteration.

Two Wild Cards in each conference can see inter-divisional play. This season, thanks to the Metropolitan’s success, the No. 1 Eastern Conference Wild Card will be slotted in with the Atlantic Division over the course of the first two rounds of the playoffs.

This is exactly where the New York Rangers want to find themselves come spring time.

Why fight it?

It’s clear that the Jackets, Caps and Pens are serious teams. Why look to overtake any of them and throw yourself into the most brutal portion of the tournament? 

Although tough to not come off as transparent, Alain Vigneault and Jeff Gorton need to play it smart with moves the rest of the way to ensure that the Rangers stay fourth in the Metro.

As it stands right now, the Blueshirts have a commanding nine-point lead over the second wild card — the Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins.

As long as they maintain that lead, stay fourth in the Metro and keep an eye on making sure the Metro leader finishes better than the Atlantic leader, the Rangers will face the Atlantic Division champs in the first round of the playoffs.

Just take a glance at how easy the New York Islanders had it a season ago.

A solid pace isn’t the worst thing

Looking to break every bone in your hockey club’s body isn’t the best strategy over the course of 82 games.

In fact, usually, it’s the hottest team that often wins the Cup, not the best.

The 82 game regular season is far too long in the sport of hockey. What we see in October and December is nothing compared to April and May. It’s a completely different season altogether.

The Rangers intelligently pacing themselves can ensure freshness until the right time when the pedal needs to be stepped on and momentum really counts.

Sometimes, hanging in the weeds is the right play.

Shared goaltending duties

Henrik Lundqvist hasn’t been that future hall of fame goalie we’ve been accustomed to. A porous .906 save percentage and 2.75 goals against average details that notion.

The man has been solid as of late, and it’s been much welcomed with Antti Raanta out with a lower-body injury.

When the Rangers return from the all-star break next week, a 50/50 split should ensue.

Rest both Hank and Raanta. There’s no reason to overwork either. Keep both fresh until the real season starts in a month and a half. This will help New York not overtake the Pens for third in the Metro while maintaining that comfy lead over the No. 2 wild card. 

Many would say this entire theory is flawed. Competitors wouldn’t hear of it, and, quite frankly, they’re right.

The last thing competitors are looking to do is to strategically position themselves for a cushier slot for future play. They go out and look to win every game.

However, when the realistic onlooker takes a peek, he/she understands this team isn’t good enough to take on the world.

The blueline, the overall toughness and the defensive structure of this club is flawed. In no way, shape or form can they believe that bullying the competition towards kings of the Metro division will equal success when it matters most.

Even if they could, somehow, finish first in the division, how in the world would they get out of the first two rounds of the playoffs?

It’s just not the smart play.

Thanks to the ridiculous new playoff setup, finishing fourth in the division and taking on the Montreal Canadiens followed by any one of the the Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins or Philadephia Flyers in the second round i, obviously the best bet.

Don’t worry Rangers fans, your team is exactly where success is most likely to come from … fourth in the Metro.