Playoffs just one win away for Blueshirts

April 3, 2008   ·   Lenny   ·   Jump to comments

Two points. That’s all the Rangers need tonight. Standing in their way are the New York Islanders. This will be a playoff-esque game.

The Islanders are dressing some rookies tonight, and the Rangers will be without Brendan Shanahan.  Shanahan likely could have played tonight if it had been a playoff game, but there’s no reason to push him right now. Let Shanny rest his sore body (I don’t even know if it’s just his leg that’s keeping him out tonight) and have him get a jump back in his step for the first round. Blair Betts and Colton Orr are also out tonight, so Jason Strudwick skates on the fourth line with Ryan Hollweg and Fredrik Sjorstom. Petr Prucha moves up to the second line with Scott Gomez and Sean Avery and should get some power play time as well.

Henrik Lundqvist will be in net for the Rangers, Wade Dubielweicz for the Islanders.

The Rangers could also get into the playoffs with a point from this game and Washington only getting a point, or a Washington loss. Personally, I’d rather see the Capitals in the playoffs rather than the Hurricanes.

Enjoy the first half of the home and home.