Rangers clinch playoff spot with win over Ottawa

The Rangers have clinched a playoff spot with their win over Ottawa last night. The Rangers went down one early, but scored four straight, including three in the second, to lock up their spot in the playoffs. The Rangers become the third/fourth (with Toronto) team to clinch a playoff in the Eastern Conference. The win also puts them in a tie with Carolina for the division lead, although the Canes have a game in hand.

Igor Shesterkin’s save percentage wasn’t what you expect, but he also wasn’t asked to do much. The Rangers absolutely dominated the Senators from start to finish in this one, so it was only a matter of time before the floodgates opened the way they did. Anton Forsberg showed he was human as well, and perhaps it was because I started him in fantasy hockey, hoping for a few extra goalie points.

Sens 1, Rangers 0

Justin Braun followed Braden Schneider to Kastelic, and while Braun wasn’t behind the net, he wasn’t able to see Austin Watson circling to the slot. Alexis Lafreniere was slow to react as well, and even the Sens score from there.

Rangers 1, Sens 1

The Rangers lost the faceoff, but Andrew Copp forced the puck off Erik Brannstrom’s stick, and it took a bounce right to Artemiy Panarin, who beat Forsberg.

Rangers 2, Sens 1

The Sens botched the coverage here, leaving Copp wide open for the cross ice pass. Panarin is so good, he doesn’t miss that pass.

Rangers 3, Sens 1

Goal #48 for Chris Kreider is one that Anton Forsberg likely wants back.

Rangers 4, Sens 1

Textbook breakout, and then textbook rush. Copp cut to the net, drawing two Sens players. Panarin gave himself space, and Ryan Strome was trailing the play to finish. Absolute textbook.

Rangers 5, Sens 1

Number 49 off a great pass from Frank Vatrano. What a quick release.

Shot Heatmap

The Rangers really dominated this one. They were firing on all cylinders and really limited Ottawa’s chances in both quantity and quality. Good teams crush bad.

Game Flow

Utter domination.

For the first time in five years, we are back in the playoffs. Enjoy it.