Hey! Hey! Hey! It's official — the @NYRangers are postseason bound! #NYRonMSG #NYR #LGR pic.twitter.com/BHcfTZdLuc
— MSG Networks (@MSGNetworks) April 5, 2016
Despite captain Ryan McDonagh leaving the game via injury, the New York Rangers pickup a much needed victory in Columbus on Monday.
- New York Rangers 4 (44-26-9)
- Columbus Blue Jackets 2 (31-40-8)
- NHL, Final, Box Score
- Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio
Finally, the New York Rangers can claim that they’ve clinched a spot in the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
We know this because of their 4-2 victory against the Blue Jackets in Columbus on Monday night.
Chris Kreider (20), Dan Boyle (9), and Mats Zuccarello (26) were the goal scorers on the night. Henrik Lundqvist rebounded from his disaster of a night on Saturday by overcoming two Nick Foligno goals and stopping 27-of-29 shots.
Unlike the last week, which saw the Blueshirts lose three straight and play horrid defense, New York’s defensive structure was present all night against the Jackets.
Kreider got the offensive party started first, with this dandy on a second-effort:
Tremendous goal by Krieder, his 20th of the season (help from Stepan). 1-0 #NYR pic.twitter.com/6b5PsJjaog
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) April 4, 2016
The next goal didn’t come until 5:28 mark of the second period, but it turned out to be the Rangers who tallied it. Dan Boyle found a way to beat Joonas Korpisalo on perhaps the weakest goal of the season:
Dan Boyle scores the weakest goal in NHL history, further forcing AV to think he's a solid D-Man. 2-0 #NYR pic.twitter.com/goexwyUyfv
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) April 5, 2016
Despite Foligno picking up his first of the game later in the period, Kreider teamed up with Mats Zuccarello to provide New York with their second two-goal lead of the game:
Zuuuuuc. …somehow gets it through to give the #NYR a 3-1 lead. pic.twitter.com/NstE3viVXM
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) April 5, 2016
The third period saw that aforementioned strong defensive play kick into high-gear – something especially promising considering the Rangers were without captain Ryan McDonagh.
No. 27 injured his hand while blocking a Brandon Dubinsky shot in the first period. Though he remained on the bench to finish the first frame, he didn’t return at the start of the second, and it remained that way all game.
#NYR Injury Update: Ryan McDonagh will not return tonight
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) April 5, 2016
Nothing further on his status has yet been mentioned.
Aside from a nifty Derek Stepan shorthanded, empty-net goal with the Rangers holding just a one-goal lead, the third was rather bland.
#NYR @DerekStepan21 with the ❗️ to earn the ✅ #LGR pic.twitter.com/b208YS7ysk
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) April 5, 2016
This playoff clincher marks the sixth straight season the Rangers have seen playoff hockey, and the 10th time in the last 11.
Ticket punched to the 2016 #StanleyCup Playoffs. See you April 13, @NYRangers. pic.twitter.com/wGYxRSdzuc
— NHL (@NHL) April 5, 2016
New York Rangers✅#NYR ARE BACK IN THE PLAYOFFS!! ???? pic.twitter.com/B33U9PWEWe
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) April 5, 2016
The red-hot Pittsburgh Penguins remain three points ahead. Because the New York Islanders took care of business on Monday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Blueshirts still hold only a slim two point lead on them, with the Isles also still having a game in hand.
Up next for New York will be the Steven Stamkos-less Tampa Bay Lightning at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night.
3 Stars of the Game:
- C. Kreider (Rangers – LW): Goals: 1, Assists: 1
- N. Foligno (Blue Jackets – LW): Goals: 2, Assists: 0
- M. Zuccarello (Rangers – RW): Goals: 1, Assists: 0
juuuust nicked it pic.twitter.com/1ZXzDKAGcl
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) April 5, 2016
On Fan Appreciation Night, @NickFoligno shows his appreciation with 2 @BlueJacketsNHL goals tonight. #NYRvsCBJ pic.twitter.com/zw7mbXyLfx
— NHL (@NHL) April 5, 2016
#NYR have advanced to the playoffs for the 6th consecutive season & for the 10th time in the last 11 seasons! #LGR pic.twitter.com/6eWiUZ8F8l
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) April 5, 2016