Rangers Vs. Devils: Missed Opportunities Will Haunt New York's Offseason

The New York Rangers will spend the rest of the offseason wondering what might have been.

If Brad Richards had been able to connect with a loose puck in overtime in front of the New Jersey net. If Henrik Lundqvist had been able to find one more save. If the club hadn't allowed the Devils to dominate the first period. If Artem Anisimov had been able to connect on a third period breakaway. If Brian Boyle could have won a few more faceoffs. If New York's late power play had connected, instead of crumbling away.

That second guessing is likely to extend to John Tortorella, who must wonder if his attempts to fire up his bench after another early deficit backfired, or if his decision to lean on Dan Girardi and Marc Staal for over 25 minutes played into the final defensive breakdown that led to Adam Henrique's game winning goal.

Then there is Rangers president and general manager Glen Sather, who was rumored to be in hot pursuit of Columbus captain Rick Nash but balked at the Blue Jackets' asking price at the trade deadline.

After a postseason where the top-seeded club failed to score more than two goals a game on multiple occasions, particularly in the Conference Final series, it's only natural to wonder if the addition of a perennial 30-plus goal scorer might have made a difference.

That said, it can't be said that this was a bad season for the Rangers. A Winter Classic victory, an Atlantic division title and an impressive run through the postseason ... but when it mattered most, they fell short.