The New York Rangers (25-18-4) defeated the Carolina Hurricanes (19-24-4) by the score of 4-3 in overtime, tonight. For a box score, go to Yahoo! Sports.

...welcome to the playoffs Rangers fans!!!!!!! As has been the case all season, the Blueshirts didn't make it easy on their fans tonight, but who cares. They're in the playoffs and anything can happen.

...Ryan "Mother Eff'n" Callahan!!!!!!!! That is why he's the best captain in the NHL.

...no one more relieved in the building to see Callahan bury that one than Matt Gilroy.

...for one of the few times this season, we saw the resiliency that defined last year's squad.

...it's bad enough Sanguinetti was a first round bust for the Rangers. Now he knocks out Clowe?

...as my friend Fleisch texted me, when did Zuccarello become Sean Avery?

Update, 6:11 p.m.:

Arron Asham not playing tonight, his wife is expecting. Matt Gilroy will play.

— Andrew Gross (@AGrossRecord) April 25, 2013

...at least he'll be rested.

Original Post:
The New York Rangers (24-18-4) visit the Carolina Hurricanes (19-24-3) at PNC Arena starting at 7:00 p.m. For a preview go to Yahoo! Sports.

Rangers Game Notes

TV: MSG; Radio: ESPN Radio 98.7FM, XM 213

Live Stream (Don't click on ads in stream, may download virus):
http://www.firstrow1.eu/watch/183041/1/watch-carolina-hurricanes-vs-new-york-rangers.html

Probable Lines:
Hagelin-Stepan-Callahan
Clowe-Brassard-Nash
Pyatt-Richards-Zuccarello
Kreider-Powe-Gilroy

McDonagh-Girardi
Del Zotto-Stralman
Moore-Eminger

Goaltenders:
Henrik Lundqvist - 22-16-3, 2.08 gaa, .926 sv%, 1 so.

Dan Ellis - 6-8-1, 3.08 gaa, .907 sv%, 1 so

Opponent Notes:
- Carolina is 3-9-1 in their last 13 games, but have won two in a row.

The Rangers have a few avenues to clinch a playoff spot, but from the players' reaction there's only one way they want to get in...

Rick Nash (via Daily News)...

"We’re not scoreboard watching. It’s in our hands, so we want to win and get in."

Steve Eminger (via Blueshirts United)...

"We control our own destiny, which is all you can ask for. Just win a game. That's all. I know the guys are all geared up and positive, and there's absolutely nothing that is behind us that matters now."

Ryan McDonagh...

The Rangers are 13-2-3 when scoring a power-play goal and 13-0-3 in their last 16 when scoring a power-play goal.

— Dave Lozo (@DaveLozo) April 25, 2013

The Rangers are 3 for their last 28 on the power play.

...so I guess we'll all be popping champagne if the Rangers score a power play goal in the first two minutes tonight.

...this obviously goes to show how vital it is to take advantage of the opportunities given to you. If the Rangers were merely pedestrian on the power play this season they'd be fighting for seeding right now instead of for their playoff lives.

With the Edmonton Oils Kings staring at a possible 3-1 deficit in the WHL Eastern Conference Finals, Michael St. Croix (2011 - 4th) dropped four points (1g, 4a) on the Calgary Hitman to help his team tie the series at 2-2 with a 7-3 victory.

Here's Jesse Rubenstein of The Prospect Park on the goal...

"This time it was Foster feeding St. Croix who got the puck at the blue line, charged into the offensive zone and into the slot then stopped to set up his shot and then beat Calgary goalie Mac Shields under the glove with a blistering snap shot..."

The four points were a career high for St. Croix, who is now 6th in WHL playoff scoring with 7g, 11a.

For his efforts, Buzzing the Net named St. Croix their No. 1 star of the night.

...haven't done a good job following St. Croix lately, so it's great to see him still tearing it up. He is going to be a player to watch in training camp next season and I fully expect him to make an impression on the coaching staff.

Bergen Record - Rangers' quest: Get in playoffs

New York Post - Zuccarello energizing Rangers’ playoff chase

Daily News - Back in Blue, 'Hobbit' humming for Rangers

New York Times - A Three-Way Battle for Two Playoff Spots

Newsday - Rangers need 2 points in 2 games for playoff spot

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Lets just say as the typical superstitious hockey fan, I was none to happy to see this arrive in my e-mail this afternoon....

...listen, I get the Rangers need to start advertising the tickets, especially if it comes down to the final day of the season, but man talk about jinxing yourself.

The fourth and youngest Staal brother, Jared Staal, has been called up by the Carolina Hurricanes and is expected to make his NHL debut tomorrow night against the Rangers, according to the Hurricanes official website.

Jared, a 22-year-old winger, was originally a second round draft pick of the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2008 entry draft. He was moved to the Hurricanes for a 5th round pick after the 2009-2010 season and has played in the AHL since. This season, he has four goals and three assists in 52 games for the Charlotte Checkers.

During last night's 3-2 loss to the Panthers, Chris Kreider was given just 3:43 of ice time, including a miniscule two shifts in the second period and ZERO in the third.

Kreider has not cracked ten minutes of ice time since his recall last week.

Good friend of the blog Scotty Hockey said it perfectly about Kreider in his game recap....

"If Torts doesn't trust Kreider to play more than four minutes against the worst team in the league, when is he ever going to trust him?"

...definitely not this season, because as soon as either Dorsett or Boyle are healthy, Kreider is headed to the Whale taxi squad.

...i think I've just given up on the idea that Torts will use Kreider this season, because I wasn't even upset about this after the game. Why would anyone think Torts would magically use Kreider after publicly stating he's worried about him in the big spot and that he didn't even want him recalled in the first place?

Despite the Rangers excruciating loss to the Panthers last night, they actually received some good news in their hunt for a playoff spot as the ninth place Winnipeg Jets lost to the Washington Capitals, meaning the Blueshirts magic number is now two.

If the Rangers can gain just two measly points in their final two games (@Carolina on Thursday, vs. the Devils at MSG on Saturday) the Blueshirts are going back to the playoffs.

The Rangers can also back into the postseason if the Jets lose their lone remaining game at home against the Canadiens on Thursday or if the Senators lose their remaining three games.

If both the Senators (52 points) and Rangers (52 points) lose out and the Jets (51 points) win Thursday night, the Senators will be eliminated as the Rangers own the first tie breaker which is regulation/overtime wins (ROW).

Here are the standings...

...in typical Rangers fashion, they had to prolong their fans' agony by losing to the worst team in the NHL last night. And please God let them take care of business Thursday night in Carolina, because the last thing I want to see are the revenge minded New Jersey Devils standing in the way of a potential Blueshirts playoff berth.