The New York Rangers needed just one point to clinch a spot in the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs and with a win over the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night, they could do just that. It was an up and down kind of game, but that point would eventually come and the Rangers would secure their spot.
The game started out rough as a goal was allowed to Jannik Hansen just 1:44 into the game. J.T. Miller tied things up late in the first period, but Melker Karlsson scored a shorthanded goal to make it 2-1 Sharks after one. The Rangers found a way to fight back after losing their legs most of the game. Â After taking a 4-3 lead late, they ultimately surrendered that and lost a heart breaker, 5-4, in overtime.
Although the team is happy to have clinched a spot in the postseason, it was still tough to lose, especially after coming back from being down 3-1 early in the second. Goalie Henrik Lundqvist, who has given up ten goals in his two games back from injury, was distraught in his post game comments, telling reporters, “I’m happy we’re in, but I’m frustrated. I need to work on my structure.”
The New York Rangers have just five games left this season: Friday at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Sunday at home against the Philadelphia Flyers, Wednesday in DC against the Capitals, April 8th against the Senators in Ottawa, and April 9th at home against the Penguins once again. The team is also one point shy of clinching the first wild card spot and can do that Friday night.
If the playoffs began today, New York would face a tough and resilient Montreal Canadiens team, but as the season slowly begins to wind down, anything can happen and no match-ups are set in stone just yet.
