The race for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference could take a crucial turn this weekend. The New York Rangers and the New York Islanders are two teams jockeying for position to earn a postseason berth. The Islanders currently sit in seventh place with 46 points while the Rangers are hot on their tales sitting in the eighth spot with 44 points. The Winnipeg Jets are lurking close behind in the ninth spot, so a win today would give either team a more comfortable lead.
The Rangers have had an inconsistent season, just one year after making it to the Stanley Cup finals. After numerous up and down moments, the Rangers have gone 4-1 in their last six games to put them in a good spot to make it to the postseason. Much of the team's success is due to goalie Henrik Lundqvist who is 7-3-2 in his last 12 starts with a 1.76 goals-against average. In his last start on Wednesday, he stopped 23 shots during the team's win against Toronto. He is likely to get the back-to-back start having won five in a row against the Islanders. Center Derek Stepan recorded four goals and five assists during his impressive six-game point streak that has helped the Rangers gain key momentum leading into this final stretch of games.
The Islanders have also put themselves in a great position to make the postseason for the first time since 2007. They are 8-1-1 in their previous 10 games. They are currently on a three-game win streak, having just beaten the Boston Bruins 2-1 on Thursday. Evgeni Nabokov has looked impressive during the last stretch of games. The veteran has gone 7-1-1 with a 1.43 GAA in the 10 game stretch. He is tied for the lead in the NHL win 20 wins on the season.
The two teams could ride their starting goaltenders all the way to the postseason. The Islanders seem like a lock to make the playoffs, the Rangers must be careful not to lose the race to the Jets.
