The Rangers have clinched 6th spot and a first round match-up with the Washington Capitals, thanks to a 4-0 win over the New Jersey Devils and a regulation loss by the Ottawa Senators to the Philadelphia Flyers.

It was a positive ending to a season that looked in jeopardy as recently as Thursday's third period when they trailed the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 with less than three minutes remaining in the third period.  In the end the Rangers not only managed to secure a playoff spot, but jumped ahead of the Isles and Sens to set up a 4th meeting in five years with the Capitals.

The most important part of the equation is that the Rangers will avoid meeting the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round, a team that has dominated the Rangers in recent times, as well as overall in the playoffs.

Instead, the Penguins will play either the Islanders or Senators depending on how the Senators do against the Bruins tomorrow.