There will be playoff hockey in Manhattan for a sixth consecutive spring.
The New York Rangers officially clinched a berth in the NHL's postseason tournament with a 4-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night.
New York Rangers✅#NYR ARE BACK IN THE PLAYOFFS!! 🎉🚨🎉🚨 pic.twitter.com/B33U9PWEWe
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) April 5, 2016
New York still has a chance to finish second in the Metropolitan Division, but appear more likely to land in third, re-matching the Pittsburgh Penguins, or even slipping into a wild-card slot. The New York Islanders remain hot in pursuit, staying two points back (with a game in hand) after a 5-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Rangers have eight playoff-series wins over their previous five entries - including the five-game series win over the Penguins last spring, and three series victories en route to a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2014.
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Simon Despres is getting healthy at the right time for the Anaheim Ducks.
Despres has healed from his latest injury, and has received clearance to return to the lineup after missing six games with an upper-body injury, he's revealed via Curtis Zupke of the Los Angeles Times.
It's been a trying season for the 24-year-old defenseman, who missed 42 games earlier this season with a concussion.
Despres' availability puts coach Bruce Boudreau's entire defensive rotation in play, with four games left on the schedule and the Pacific Division up for grabs.
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Jaromir Jagr's been working on his Blue Steel.
The ageless Florida Panthers forward gave one of his many fans a treat Monday night, joining him for a selfie during the pregame warmup prior to the Panthers' game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre.
Mr. Blades - who has an excellent hockey name - later posted video of the memorable moment, as captured by TSN.
Jagr has a fun and somewhat controversial history when it comes to selfies, but there's no doubt this one falls into the "fun" category.
- With h/t to Mark Masters
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The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed center Mitchell Stephens - their 33rd overall draft selection last summer - to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Stephens was limited to just 39 games in his injury-shortened third season with the OHL's Saginaw Spirit. He contributed 38 points, by far his highest rate in Major Junior, and also represented Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship.
Tampa Bay did not select in the first round last summer, spending its first draft pick on Stephens.
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The Philadelphia Flyers may indeed bring two viable options in goal to the Stanley Cup playoffs - if they do indeed make it that far.
Michal Neuvirth, out since early March, skated for the first time since suffering a knee injury at an optional skate on Monday, and was quite pleased with how the joint held up.
"I felt pretty good," Neuvirth said, according to Dave Isaac of the Courier Post. "I thought it was a good skate and another good step in moving forward.
"Right now I am just going day-by-day, but I am very excited about how the skate went today. I believe I am relatively close to practicing with the team."
A free-agent addition last summer, Neuvirth has played a critical part in Philadelphia boasting the NHL's best 5-on-5 save percentage. His .925 clip ranks fourth among goaltenders with at least 30 appearances.
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