The New York Rangers (40-27-11) know how important this game with the Pittsburgh Penguins (46-26-7) is. All they have to do is watch ESPN, TSN or the NHL Network to see where they are in the standings and realize that a loss here or there could put them out of playoff contention.

The New York Rangers (40-27-11) know how important this game with the Pittsburgh Penguins (46-26-7) is. All they have to do is watch ESPN, TSN or the NHL Network to see where they are in the standings and realize that a loss here or there could put them out of playoff contention.

If one were to look at the Eastern Conference standings going into the final week of the season, they would see that there are three teams that have 91 points and occupy the sixth, seventh and eighth spots in the conference, which means that these three teams will have to try and win every game they play during the week if they want to each clinch a playoff spot.

If one were to look at the Eastern Conference standings going into the final week of the season, they would see that there are three teams that have 91 points and occupy the sixth, seventh and eighth spots in the conference, which means that these three teams will have to try and win every game they play during the week if they want to each clinch a playoff spot.

Folks, keep your doctor’s close by this week as the New York Rangers (40-27-11) have once again made things interesting going into the last week of the season as they lost 3-1 to the Pittsburgh Penguins (46-26-7) this afternoon at the Mellon Arena, giving the Penguins a hold of first place atop the Eastern Conference standings.

Folks, keep your doctor’s close by this week as the New York Rangers (40-27-11) have once again made things interesting going into the last week of the season as they lost 3-1 to the Pittsburgh Penguins (46-26-7) this afternoon at the Mellon Arena, giving the Penguins a hold of first place atop the Eastern Conference standings.

Things can never be done the easy way for the New York Rangers (40-26-11) as they have the most important week of the season ahead of them.

The week features two tilts with the Pittsburgh Penguins (45-26-7), a game with the New York Islanders (34-37-8) and a season finale against the New Jersey Devils (43-28-7).

Things can never be done the easy way for the New York Rangers (40-26-11) as they have the most important week of the season ahead of them.

The week features two tilts with the Pittsburgh Penguins (45-26-7), a game with the New York Islanders (34-37-8) and a season finale against the New Jersey Devils (43-28-7).

With the Eastern Conference playoff race heating up every day, points are tougher come by as teams are clawing and scratching through every game.

With the Eastern Conference playoff race heating up every day, points are tougher come by as teams are clawing and scratching through every game.