Who do the New York Rangers want to play in the playoffs?

Mar 4, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) celebrates a goal with center Mika Zibanejad (93) and left wing Alexis Lafrenire (13) against the New Jersey Devils during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports /

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Feb 26, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; The New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins get into a scrum after the whistle during the second period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

The Rangers still have 24 games remaining, but if the season ended today they would face the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first series of the postseason. The teams are jockeying for second and third in the Metro and alternate every few days, and it looks like the most likely First Round matchup.

Pittsburgh Penguins

The Rangers match up fine with Pittsburgh, but in their one meeting of the season Pittsburgh came out victorious 1-0. The teams will meet three more times during the regular season before the playoffs.

We’ll know a lot more about how these teams match up after the season series is over.

Still, it would be a daunting task to go against an experienced Penguins team with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and a much improved Tristan Jarry.

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