Here are today’s news and links:
Rangers News:
Highlights: NYR 6, PHI 5 (4:58 video via NHL.com)
Game Recap: The Blueshirts were down half of their top six defenseman, and that fact was evident in their defensive play, but it wasn’t enough to stop them from pulling out an overtime victory and becoming the first team to clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs (CBS)
Mollie Walker chatted with Brandon Scanlin about the stakes of his NHL debut prior to last night’s victory (NY Post)
Larry Brooks points to the dearth of trips division rivals make into Madison Square Garden and how late in the season those trips have come this season as a fundamental in the league’s scheduling process (NY Post)
Colin Stephenson notes that Will Cuylle returned to the lineup after sitting out of Saturday’s contest as a healthy scratch (Newsday)
Around the NHL:
Rory Boylen breaks down which teams will face most difficult stretch of games over the final three weeks of the regular season (Sportsnet)
The Washington Capitals knocked off the Detroit Red Wings with a 4-3 overtime victory in a crucial battle in the Eastern Conference Wild Card race (TSN)