MONTREAL — The stats are in their favor.
The Rangers took a dramatic 3-2 victory over the Canadiens in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Bell Centre. If history proves to be a proper forecaster, their 3-2 edge in the best-of-seven series puts them in good shape to advance to the second round. Their first chance to clinch will be in Game 6 on Saturday night at the Garden.
According to the team, the Rangers have won each of the previous 14 playoff series in which they earned a win in Game 5, dating back to the Patrick Division semifinals against the Flyers in 1986.