Analysis

May 5, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers celebrate the goal by New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin (10) against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period in game two of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports

Rangers knot series 1-1, beat Penguins 5-2

10 takeaways from a bitter overtime loss

Rangers lose triple OT Game 1 heartbreaker

Gallant: “We gotta play our game”

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 07: Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers makes a third period save on Jake Guentzel #59 of the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden on April 07, 2022 in New York City. The Rangers shut out the Penguins 3-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Rangers vs Penguins by the numbers

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 27: Ryan Strome #16 of the New York Rangers (C) celebrates his goal against the Montreal Canadiens along with Barclay Goodrow #21 (L) and Patrik Nemeth #12 (R) at Madison Square Garden on April 27, 2022 in New York City The Canadiens defeated the Rangers 4-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

New York Rangers: Myths and facts about the playoffs

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 26: Head coach Gerard Gallant of the New York Rangers handles bench duties against the New York Islanders in a preseason game at Madison Square Garden on September 26, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Who sits come playoff time?

OTTAWA, ON - APRIL 8: Derick Brassard #19 of the Ottawa Senators take a face-off against Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers at Canadian Tire Centre on April 8, 2017 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)

A look at the 2017 playoffs: The last time the Rangers were in it

Apr 29, 2022; New York, New York, USA; The New York Rangers salute their fans after a 3-2 win against the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

Rangers end a great season with a win and will face the Penguins

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 16: The New York Rangers celebrate after a goal scored by Alexis Lafrenière #13 during the third period against the Detroit Red Wings at Madison Square Garden on April 16, 2022 in New York City. The Rangers won 4-0. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Is the New York Rangers kids line ready for the playoffs?

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 03: Tom Wilson #43 of the Washington Capitals takes a roughing penalty during the second period against Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on May 03, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

It all comes down to tonight for Pens and Caps

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 30: Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers in action against the Washington Capitals during their game at Madison Square Garden on March 30, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Which Igor Shesterkin will the New York Rangers get for the playoffs?

Apr 27, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers defenseman K'Andre Miller (79) takes a shot against Montreal Canadiens defenseman Joel Edmundson (44) during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Rangers lose 4-3, one more game left

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 26: Teuvo Teravainen #86 of the Carolina Hurricanes is sandwiched by Ryan Reaves #75 and Jacob Trouba #8 of the New York Rangers during the first period at Madison Square Garden on April 26, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Rangers have a tough choice to make

Apr 26, 2022; New York, New York, USA; Carolina Hurricanes left wing Teuvo Teravainen (86) celebrates with Carolina Hurricanes center Max Domi (13) after scoring a goal against New York Rangers during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Tom Horak-USA TODAY Sports

It’s 2nd place for the Rangers as they lose 4-3 to Carolina

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 16: The New York Rangers celebrate after a goal scored by Alexis Lafrenière #13 during the third period against the Detroit Red Wings at Madison Square Garden on April 16, 2022 in New York City. The Rangers won 4-0. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Why the Rangers are on the right path to longterm success

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 23: Dryden Hunt #29 of the New York Rangers and Charlie McAvoy #73 of the Boston Bruins fight while Trent Frederic #11 tries to separate them during the second period at TD Garden on April 23, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Rangers may be able to decide between Pittsburgh or Washington

Apr 23, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) makes a save on Boston Bruins center Trent Frederic (11) during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Interesting developments in the playoff race

Apr 23, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Rangers center Ryan Strome (16) and Boston Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo (25) fight for a loose puck during the third period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Meh, Rangers lose 3-1 to the Bruins

TAMPA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 12: The Stanley Cup is shown before the first period of a game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Pittsburgh Penguins at Amalie Arena on October 12, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Capitals inch closer to being the Rangers’ first round opponent

Mar 2, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) celebrates his goal against the St. Louis Blues with center Mika Zibanejad (93) during the third period at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers defeated the Blues 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

If Chris Kreider breaks Jagr’s record, does it mean more?

TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 08: The original Stanley Cup rests in a vault at the Hockey Hall of Fame on November 8, 2010 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Latest on the Rangers’ playoff prospects

Apr 21, 2022; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Rangers center Andrew Copp (18) celebrates his second goal against the New York Islanders during the first period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports

It’s the Panarin-Copp show as the Rangers beat Isles 6-3

Apr 9, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers salute the crowd after the game against Ottawa Senators at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Tom Horak-USA TODAY Sports

Another big night for the playoff picture

Feb 17, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin (10) skates before the opening face-off against the Detroit Red Wings at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

Artemi Panarin’s quietly having a career year

Apr 16, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers left wing Alexis Lafreniere (13) celebrates a goal with defenseman Ryan Lindgren (55), center Barclay Goodrow (21), defenseman Adam Fox (23) and center Filip Chytil (72) during the third period against the Detroit Red Wings at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Rangers should want first place in the Metropolitan Division

Apr 19, 2022; New York, New York, USA; Winnipeg Jets goaltender Eric Comrie (1) makes a save on a shot from New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin (10) during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports

3 shutouts in a row & 50 wins as Rangers beat Jets 3-0

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 18: Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers gets set for a faceoff against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on October 18, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Rangers defeated the Maple Leafs 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

Which Rangers players will lead the way in the playoffs?