There will be playoff hockey in Manhattan for a sixth consecutive spring.
The New York Rangers officially clinched a berth in the NHL's postseason tournament with a 4-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night.
New York Rangers✅#NYR ARE BACK IN THE PLAYOFFS!! 🎉🚨🎉🚨 pic.twitter.com/B33U9PWEWe
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) April 5, 2016
New York still has a chance to finish second in the Metropolitan Division, but appear more likely to land in third, re-matching the Pittsburgh Penguins, or even slipping into a wild-card slot. The New York Islanders remain hot in pursuit, staying two points back (with a game in hand) after a 5-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Rangers have eight playoff-series wins over their previous five entries - including the five-game series win over the Penguins last spring, and three series victories en route to a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2014.
