A Rangers standings and playoff update in front of Monday's game vs. the Ottawa Senators.
As the New York Knicks claimed the second seed in the Eastern Conference on Sunday, reports gave a clue as to when their MSG co- tenants, the New York Rangers, will begin their playoff run.
With the Stanley Cup Playoffs beginning on Saturday, April 20, the Rangers will likely begin their Round One matchup on Sunday night. If the leagues play games on alternating nights, that likely means Game 2 will be on Tuesday... Unless there is a day-night doubleheader at The Garden Saturday to kick things off for both teams.
The NBA has yet to release a schedule for the first round with the regular season concluding on Sunday. However, the Play-In Tournament will conclude on Friday night, where the Knicks' opponent will be decided.
As for the Rangers, their opponent is still up in the air with one game left. The team is two points short of clinching the Metropolitan Division title and could do that on Monday against the Ottawa Senators.
The final spots in the Eastern Conference are also to be determined, with the New York Islanders currently holding the third spot in the division and Washington Capitals holding the final Wild Card.
Sunday the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4–2 to stay right on the Rangers tail for both the Metropolitan Division and the Presidents’ Trophy.
Regardless, with home ice locked up and the Knicks due to begin their postseason on Saturday, the Rangers' quest for the Stanley Cup will likely begin next weekend at Madison Square Garden.