The New York Rangers are still practically a lock to miss make the Stanley Cup Playoffs. But they did sweep the Battle of New York.
The Rangers' season is on life support, but they'll stay alive for at least one more day. Thursday's crushing 9-2 win over fellow-city foe the New York Islanders at UBS Arena staved off what still feels like inevitable elimination from the playoff race. The Blueshirts finished the season series against the Islanders with a 4-0-0 record, marking the fourth time in franchise history they’ve gone undefeated in a season against the Islanders.
Additionally, ten different Rangers skaters had multiple points in Long island — the most for a team in the NHL since Dec. 19, 2023. The milestone was extra noteworthy in that it was the first time the Rangers had 10 or more players with multiple points in a game was Oct. 24, 1979.
"[It was a] great team effort from everybody. Ever since the first shift, we were kind of clicking."Rookie Brett Berard
The previously mentioned win over the Islanders kept the Rangers’ microscopic playoff hopes alive. It moved the Blueshirts within six points of the Montreal Canadiens for the Eastern Conference's second and final ward card, but in order to stay alive the Rangers will have to win each and every one of their final three games in order to have a chance.
Though, one more win or overtime loss from Montreal would also send the Rangers (37-35-7) into a long summer, with the Habs next opportunity coming Friday at 7 p.m. in Ottawa.
How did they get here?
At the end of the day — the Rangers have fallen flat so many times this season, including three straight losses coming into Thursday's contest by a combined 17-6 margin. It was a demoralizing, pathetic showing given the dire circumstances.
They looked resigned to go out with a whimper, then started playing with purpose after the fat lady began warming up her vocal chords.
The line featuring Will Cuylle, J.T. Miller and Mika Zibanejad was the tone-setter in turning things around, with all three contributing to the Blueshirts' first two goals on the Islander's home ice.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) April 11, 2025
However, the Blueshirts could be eliminated before they take the ice for their next game against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh on Saturday afternoon if the Canadiens get a point in their road game against the Ottawa Senators on Friday night.