The NHL Playoffs are nearly fully set after the lockout-shortened season and the New York Rangers will be a part of the action, as they clinched a spot in the playoffs with a win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night after an overtime victory.
The team blew a two goal lead, but was bailed out by a fluke Brad Richards goal and the winner from captain Ryan Callahan, sending the team into the postseason for the third straight year. Last season the team was the first seed in the East and after winning on Thursday they are now in the seventh spot.
Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist always gives the team a chance to win and with Rick Nash and Ryan Clowe starting to come on at the end of the year, the team has a chance to make some noise in the playoffs. Getting into the seventh seed could help avoid the Penguins, who have just received word that Sidney Crosby has been cleared to play. The Rangers have one game left against the Devils on Saturday before the playoffs start on Tuesday and that could help with seeding.
The playoffs will begin on Tuesday April 30 and the final day for the Stanley Cup could be as later as June 28, while each round will be four out of seven games for the winners. Seeding still needs to be set in some parts of both conferences, although the Penguins and Blackhawks have already clinched their spots.
The Red Wings and Wild are fighting for position in the West with the Blue Jackets still alive, while the Rangers will try to stay ahead of the Islanders to matchup against Boston rather than Pitt.
