Rangers clinch playoff berth with losses by Panthers, Sabres
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The New York Rangers clinched a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Monday.
The Rangers (43-20-10), who did not play Monday, clinched when the Florida Panthers lost 5-2 to the Ottawa Senators, and the Buffalo Sabres lost 4-3 in a shootout to the Montreal Canadiens.
New York is third in the Metropolitan Division, four points behind the second-place New Jersey Devils and seven behind the first-place Carolina Hurricanes.
The Rangers advanced to the Eastern Conference Final last season, when they lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games. Prior to that, they last won a playoff series in 2017.
New York is led by forwards Artemi Panarin (82 points), Mika Zibanejad (79) and Vincent Trocheck (57), and defenseman Adam Fox (65).
Igor Shesterkin is 33-12-7 with a 2.55 goals-against average, .914 save percentage and two shutouts in 52 games after winning the Vezina Trophy as the top goalie in the League last season. Backup Jaroslav Halak is 10-8-3 with a 2.68 GAA and .905 save percentage in 22 games (21 starts).
New York made several moves prior to the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline on March 3, acquiring forward Patrick Kane from the Chicago Blackhawks on Feb. 28, forward Vladimir Tarasenko and defenseman Niko Mikkola from the St. Louis Blues on Feb. 9, and reacquiring forward Tyler Motte from the Ottawa Senators on Feb. 19.
The Rangers have won the Stanley Cup four times (1928, 1933, 1940, 1994).