New York Rangers left winger Chris Kreider (20) celebrates his second goal of the game with teammates during the third period in Game 1 of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

New York metro sports fans currently have a lot to cheer for

By Josh Keslinger | Last updated 4/18/23

April is a great time in the sports world. The MLB season is in full swing, the Stanley Cup and NBA playoffs are under way and the excitement of the NFL offseason is at its highest with the NFL Draft at the end of the month.

For fans in the New York metro area, this April is epic.

The New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, New York Rangers, New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils are in the playoffs. According to the New York Post, this is the first time all five teams punched playoff tickets in the same year since 1994.

The Knicks opened their series with a split against the Cleveland Cavaliers, winning Game 1 but dropping Game 2. In their first-round series, meanwhile, the Nets trail the Philadelphia 76ers, 2-0.

The Islanders also will look to rebound after losing their first game to the Carolina Hurricanes, 2-1. Meanwhile, the Devils and Rangers renewed the Hudson River Rivalry for the seventh time in the playoffs with Game 1 on Tuesday night at the Prudential Center resulting in a commanding 5-1 Rangers win.

While some teams are up and some trail in their respective series, it doesn't take away what it means for New York sports fans to have everyone playing meaningful games.

New York is a passionate sports town, and the fans expect greatness from their stars year after year. That hasn't been the case recently.

NYCFC won the MLS Cup in 2021, but before that, the last championship for the Big Apple was in 2011, when the New York Giants won Super Bowl XLVI.

There's reason for optimism if you're a New Yorker, though, as along with the five NBA and NHL teams in the playoffs, the New York Yankees and New York Mets are off to great starts after making the playoffs last season.

The Rangers, Devils, Islanders, Knicks, Nets, Yankees, Mets, Liberty, Giants, Red Bulls, NYCFC and Giants all made the playoffs in the last 8 months.
— ᴀʀᴅᴀ Öᴄᴀʟ (@Arda) April 13, 2023

The Yankees are 10-7 and have stayed in games early on despite a slew of injuries. The Mets are 11-6 and have picked up their play after a slow start.

The only major professional sports team in the New York metro area to miss the playoffs in the last year is the New York Jets, who finished last season 7-10 and were in the playoff race until the final week.

They also have a bright future thanks to budding stars Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner, as well as an Aaron Rodgers trade still in their plans.

The Jets hold the longest active playoff drought across the four major sports after the Seattle Mariners and Sacramento Kings both made the playoffs, but they hope to end that quickly.

Sports are booming in New York, and fans have a lot to be excited about. In a town known for being the pinnacle of success, it has been far too long without consistent winning. The future looks bright, and right now there's plenty of exciting and meaningful games being played in the city that never sleeps.

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