The Rangers on Thursday became the first team to clinch a Stanley Cup playoffs berth this year with a 5-1 win over the Senators and a little bit of help from the Ducks.
New York's clinching scenario was either a victory and any Bruins lo s to the Ducks, orone point against the Ronnie Stanley Jersey Sens and a Bruins regulation lo s. The Rangers got some help on the former when Ducks centerRyan Getzlaf scored in overtime to beat the Bruins 3-2 in Boston.
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"We played pretty well away from the puck and we were able to take it home and get two points to clinch a playoff spot," Rangers coach AlainVigneaultsaid."Probably caught their goalie on an off night and we Hayden Hurst Jersey were able to capitalize early."
Rangers winger Chris Kreider scored two goals and added an a sist. Dan Boyle, Tanner Gla s and Mats Zuccarello alsofound the net, all in the first two periods, asthe top team in the Metropolitan Division won Ed Reed Jersey easily.
"I thought it was pretty sloppy for the first 10 minutes or so and then I think both teams did a good job executing the second half of that first period,"Kreidersaid.
In addition to grabbing a playoff spot, the Rangers also moved into first place in the Eastern Conference with 101 points. The two teams right behind New York in the standings, theCanadiens (100 Shane Ray Jersey points) and Lightning (99 points),had opportunities to lock upplayoff berths Thursday as well but lost in regulation.
Jets goalieOndrej Pavelec stifled the Canadiens for most of the night, notching 39 Justin Tucker Jersey saves on 41 shot attempts in Winnipeg's 5-2 win. Montreal's starting goalieCarey Price was given the nightoff, and backupDustin Tokarski struggled with the Vezina Trophy candidate on the bench. Tokarskiallowedfive goals on 22 shots, including three goals in the second period.
Tampa Bay also ran into a great goaltender in Pekka Rinne. Rinnesaved 28 out of 30 shots to help the Predators beat the Lightning, 3-2. DespiteNashville going eight straight minutes without a shot to start the third period, the Lightning couldn't muster up enough offense to tie it before the end of regulation.
As for the Rangers, they Tyus Bowser Jersey could be getting even better with by the end of the week. Even without him between the pipes, New York has woneight of itslast 10 games.
