New York Rangers sneak into playoffs thanks to ‘Canes loss

The New York Rangers had to sit around and wait awhile on this Saturday in April. They already did they part and everything was out of their hands. After New York defeated the New Jersey Devils 5-2 in their last game of the regular season, Carolina had to lose in order for the Rangers to avoid missing the playoffs for the second straight year. The Hurricanes were crushed on their home ice by the Tampa Bay Lightning, making the Rangers the #8 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, facing the #1 Washington Capitals. Yes, it’s nice that this team has made it back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs after a one year absence and yes, it should be celebrated. But only for a short time because there is still work to do. This is the fifth time in six years since the lockout that this club has reached the postseason and it’s gotten to the point where the players, coaches, and fans should not just be “happy to be here.” During those four previous trips, the Blueshirts failed...