Rangers clinch playoff spot; The Mystery that is the Sens

Posted 11:12 PM ET | Comments 1

Rangers win, clinch playoff spot

The Rangers fought off early pressure from the Islanders through several great Lundqvist saves and took control of the game in the 1st period. Jaromir Jagr converted on two power play one timers, giving the team a 2-0 lead.

I thought they did a great job of shutting down the hustle of a young Islanders squad. Okposo was very impressive - he moves very well down low and had a good instinct for the net.

I thought Prucha looked better, but it would be nice to see him convert. The kid needs a little confidence to get back to the game he played in 05-06. He's probably going to keep playing if Orr stays out...hopefully he can get something going.

Brandon Dubinsky played a stellar game, setting up Jagr on his second power play goal, and Martin Straka for the 3-0 goal. You can't say enough about Dubinsky, he stepped up and really filled out the depth of this roster.

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Who are the Ottawa Senators?

The Sens beat Toronto tonight, 8-2. 94 points should get them in. But they need a change of fortune.

Ottawa has had several notable streaks this year. They started 15-2, lost their next 7, then went 13-3-1 over their next 17.

The Stillman/Commodore deal was supposed to solidify a locker room that needed guidance and playoff experience to win a Cup. The results have been mediocre (so far). Since that deal, the Sens are 9-12-4 while letting in 3.16 goals per game.

Which team are we going to see? A team beginning a new hot streak, or a team that reverts to its mediocre form of the last 2 months?

The rest of the East hopes its the latter.

Filed Under: Senators playoffs Rangers