New York Rangers clinch playoff berth after loss by Panthers and Sabres
The New York Rangers hit the daily double last night when the Florida Panthers lost to the Ottawa Senators in regulation and the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Buffalo Sabres in a shootout.
They needed both scenarios to hit in order to clinch a playoff spot in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. It is the second season in a row they have qualified.
In 2022, the New York Rangers finished second in the Metro Division and ousted the Pittsburgh Penguins in seven games overcoming a 3-1 series deficit. They followed that up by beating the Carolina Hurricanes in seven before falling to the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games of the Eastern Conference Final.
How to Watch the New York Rangers in 2023
New York Rangers clinch playoff berth
The Rangers currently hold third place in the Metro with a record of 43-20-10 for 96 points. After the New Jersey Devils lost to the New York Islanders on Monday, they remain four points behind them for second place and home-ice advantage in the first round.
If the Rangers beat the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight, the game Thursday between the Rangers and Devils could be for a second-place tie.
According to the website Playoff Status, there’s now a 92% that the Rangers and Devils will meet off to open the playoffs. These two franchised have squared off six times in postseason action with the Rangers winning four of those series and holding a lifetime 18-16 record in the playoffs.
This regular-season, the Rangers have had a lot of trouble against the Devils’ speed with a record of 1-1-1 scoring 10 Goals For and letting in 12 Goals Against.
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