The New York Rangers have their sights set on making a run to the Stanley Cup this year, but first they will have to hold off the Pittsburgh Penguins, as both teams are battling for position in the NHL playoffs standings as the postseason gets closer.
The Rangers are currently three points up on the Penguins in the division standings after the two teams played Sunday night. The Penguins won 3-2 over the Rangers in overtime on a goal from Sidney Crosby, pushing the Penguins closer in the standings. The Penguins have been surging lately, as the team has jumped past the New York Islanders in the division.
"I think that we worked hard for it," Crosby said. "It was a pretty even hockey game. That's what we're playing for, to get these two points, especially after a pretty emotional game yesterday, knowing what that meant."
The Rangers are trying to hold off the Penguins to keep home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Pittsburgh has already won three times against the Rangers in the past month, giving the team some solid ammunition if they face off again in the playoffs. Even with the loss, the Rangers are in good position in the standings heading towards the postseason.
This year, the Rangers are all in for making a Stanley Cup run. The team has an All-World goalie in Henrik Lundqvist, and they traded for Eric Staal at the trading deadline. Staal had two goals in the game against the Penguins, and he could be key for the team in making a run to a championship. Rick Nash has returned from injury to give the Rangers more depth, and now it will be about performing in the playoffs.
The Rangers can't catch the Washington Capitals in the standings, but they can lock in home-ice advantage against other teams in the East. New York won over the Capitals last season despite going down in their series, and they will not be afraid to face them again. The Rangers would like to get some better play together heading into the playoffs, as the team is just 5-2-3 over their last 10 games.
The Penguins have been streaking during that time while going 8-2-0, closing the gap on the Rangers. New York still has not clinched a playoff spot and it would make a Stanley Cup run much tougher if they have to play on the road to open things up.
