It’s been five years since the Rangers last played in a playoff game. But finally, they will get to get to play playoff hockey again next month.
The Rangers officially ended their four-year rebuild Saturday night when they beat the Ottawa Senators, 5-1, at the Garden to clinch their first playoff spot since 2017. Artemi Panarin had a goal and two spectacular assists and Chris Kreider continued his march to 50 goals when he scored No. 48 and No. 49 as the Rangers won their third straight game.
The victory not only clinched a playoff spot for the Rangers (47-20-6), but it gave them 100 points on the season, and pulled them into a tie with the Carolina Hurricanes for first place in the Metropolitan Division. The Rangers and Hurricanes have two games remaining against each other this season, the first of which is Tuesday at the Garden.
