With just over two weeks left in the regular season, playoff races are on overdrive. The Los Angeles Kings continue their push to secure a berth and defend their Stanley Cup title. The Anaheim Ducks and Nashville Predators respond to division challenges. And in the West, the San Jose Sharks and Colorado Avalanche refuse to quietly into the draft lottery.
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While the Rangers secured their playoff berth, the Canadiens didn’t, losing 5-2 at Winnipeg. The headline on Pat Hickey’s Montreal Gazette story from the game says it all: Canadiens lay an egg in the ‘Peg.
Neither did the Tampa Bay Lightning, who lost 3-2 to the Predators.
Thursday’s 5-1 victory at Ottawa secured the Rangers’ playoff berth. Their goals now are to win the Metropolitan Division, secure home-ice rights for their run in the Eastern Conference and earn the Presidents’ Trophy for best regular-season record. Priority on Item No. 3 is low; while first place is huge, the champagne glass is way down the totem pole.
Their cause gets a boost this weekend with the expected return of goalie Henrik Lundqvist. The Rangers visit the Boston Bruins on Saturday and play host to the Washington Capitals on Sunday. Lundqvist will start one of the games.
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The Bruins’ 3-2 overtime loss put the Rangers in position to lock into the playoffs. Chris Kreider had two goals in the game as the Rangers ended the dream start of Sens goalie Andrew Hammond.
Having lost to the Kings on Tuesday, the Rangers were eager to tone with a strong finish.
“Lately, our starts have been pretty good, but after our start the other night, we kind of dropped off a bit and didn’t play Rangers hockey,” Kreider told media members. It’s good to see a consistent effort from start to finish.
“I’m happy we clinched, and now we’ll try and get home ice.”
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Meanwhile, the Canadiens now prepare for three home games. Saturday brings the Florida Panthers, who are trying to catch the Senators in the wild-card race. Mark Monday on your calendar, because the Lightning visit in a showdown for the division lead.
A look at the playoff field as of Thursday’s games, with first-round matchups. First team listed has home-ice advantage; * = wild card; regular-season point total in parentheses.
Eastern Conference
Montreal Canadiens (100) vs. Washington Capitals* (90)
Tampa Bay Lightning (99) vs. Detroit Red Wings (90)
New York Rangers (101) vs. Ottawa Senators* (85)
New York Islanders (93) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (91)
Outside looking in: Boston Bruins (85), Florida Panthers (82)
Western Conference
Nashville Predators (100) vs. Minnesota Wild* (91)
St. Louis Blues (99) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (94)
Anaheim Ducks (101) vs. Winnipeg Jets* (90)
Vancouver Canucks (90) vs. Los Angeles Kings (88)
Outside looking in: Calgary Flames (87), Dallas Stars (82), San Jose Sharks (80), Colorado Avalanche (80)
Contributing: NHL.com
