Saturday, March 29, 2008

Four Points Till Playoffs, Atlantic Title Within Reach


Jay Greenberg at The New York Post writes...

"But that (a playoff spot) could be wrapped up by Monday night at the Garden if the Rangers can sweep back-to-back games against the Penguins that start tomorrow in Pittsburgh. Ninety-five Rangers points will beat the maximum 94 that Washington, currently at 86 with four games remaining, still can obtain. And 10th-place Buffalo's maximum is 93.

For all practical purposes, a sweep of Pittsburgh is what the Rangers would need to keep any reasonable hopes alive of catching the Penguins for the Atlantic Division title and a top-two seed. Two regulation wins still would leave New York two points behind with three games remaining, while the Pens' last two are with Philadelphia."

Steve Zipay at Newsday adds...

"If the Caps lose Saturday or pick up a point, and the Rangers can pick up two points Sunday, they could clinch a playoff spot on Monday against the Penguins at Madison Square Garden...

...Without a sweep of the Penguins in regulation over the weekend, however, the Rangers seem destined to finish fourth, fifth or sixth in the Eastern Conference."

...at this point I'm not even thinking about seeding or an Atlantic Division title. Right now I'm just focused on getting into the playoffs.

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