But to maintain interest, especially in what is almost a boutique sport, the NHL really needs a team with broad name recognition and a powerful home-town media to lead the charge into the mass market.

The Devils aren’t going to do it. They’re a great team that plays defense as well as any team has played it for 20 years or more. But that’s the problem — they’re so good at preventing things from happening, nobody, including their own fans, can watch them. I don’t agree with that, having watched them closely for 25 years, but that’s what every hockey fan I meet tells me, so there must be some truth in it.

San Jose isn’t going to do it, either. Nor is Anaheim, which is to L.A. what New Jersey is to New York — a barely acknowledged neighbor.

Canadian fans, who don’t get many champions any more, would love to see Ottawa and Vancouver get through to the finals — an all-Canadian series, but they’re the only ones. In the United States, where the viewers and sponsors are, that final would pass in utter obscurity.

All of this is problematic because as much as a Ranger revival is needed, it’s probably not going to happen. They made quick work of the Thrashers, but now they’ve got the Sabres, who have the benefit of having a truly great team and the misfortune of being from Buffalo. The Rangers have grit and heart and sentiment on their side. The Sabres have depth and talent.

Bill Clement on the NHL Carolina is flying high Ward's stellar play fuels Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup push

The Rangers are the worst of the four teams left in the East; New Jersey, Ottawa and Buffalo are all better. So the hopes in the home office have to be dim. On the other hand, no sport follows the regular-season chalk less than hockey. You don’t get seven and eight seeds winning the NBA title, but it happens in hockey with some frequency.

In the West, Detroit is favored, which is great. The Red Wings have history, an exciting style of play and fans. If they can get to the final and find the Rangers waiting for them, maybe Sports Illustrated can revisit that old headline.

And if neither makes it, it won’t matter who plays, because few will be watching.

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