“That's what I signed up for. There's not a bigger stage. I think great athletes love the pressure and we're there now.” - Rick Nash (via Blueshirts United)

Yes it is Rick. Yes it is. I congratulate you an a tremendous first regular season on Broadway, now go get us a Stanley Cup.

How's that for pressure?

In all seriousness, I love this quote from Nash. The guy has been everything and more and I'm confident he'll take his game to the next level in the postseason.

I'm sure he's seen some raucous crowds at MSG this season that made the atmosphere in Columbus seem like church, but that's nothing compared to what he and the other new guys are going to experience starting in Game 3 sometime this week.

Nash has captured scoring titles, appeared in All Star Games and won a gold medal, but in my opinion he ain't @hit until he proves himself on the biggest stage in the world in the most pressure packed environment.

Here's Nash's two goals vs. the Devils yesterday...

Here's what else Nash said after yesterday's 4-0 win over the Devils...

For the fourth time in five years, the Rangers will face the Capitals in the playoffs. Two of those series have gone seven games, including last year's epic battle that went a little something like this...

...with the way the Rangers and Capitals were struggling last month, if you told me at that time they would meet in the first round I would have said you were crazy. And that's why I love the game of hockey. Now we get to see Ovi and the boys yet again. We talk about the Rangers rivalries with the Flyers, Devils and Islanders, but with all the recent playoff battles, you have to put the Capitals in the same category. I've officially rediscovered my old Patrick Division hate for the team from our Nation's capital. And it's going to be taken to another level now that they're going to be in the same division again starting next season.

Today was a little less tense than previous games. No longer were playoff hopes on the line. Still, it was an important game. Playoff seeding was on the line, and a loss would have locked the Rangers in as the eight seed. Johan Hedberg was in goal for the Devils, instead of the usual appearance from Martin Brodeur, but it was still a similar result to the previous matchup. The Rangers scored early, put consistent pressure on the Devils in the offensive zone, and limit their own mistakes. Henrik Lundqvist got his second shutout, but for most of the game was along for the ride. The game was never really in doubt. A good win, both for playoff seeding and also to end the season on a high note. Let's look at some post-game thoughts.

The New York Rangers (25-18-4) host the New Jersey Devils (19-18-10) at Madison Square Garden starting at 3:00 p.m. For a preview go to Yahoo! Sports.

Rangers Game Notes

TV: NBC; Radio: ESPN Radio 98.7FM, XM 212

Live Stream (Don't click on ads in stream, may download virus):
http://www.firstrow1.eu/watch/183329/1/watch-new-york-rangers-vs-new-jersey-devils.html

Probable Lines:
Hagelin-Stepan-Callahan
Kreider-Brassard-Nash
Pyatt-Richards-Zuccarello
Newbury-Powe-Asham

McDonagh-Girardi
Del Zotto-Stralman
Moore-Eminger

Goaltenders:
Henrik Lundqvist - 23-16-3, 2.10 gaa, .925 sv%, 1 so.

Johan Hedberg - 6-9-3, 2.69 gaa, .887 sv%, 1 so

Opponent Notes:
- The Devils have won four of their last five games.

...yep, officially fired up for the playoffs.

H/T to reader Josh6.

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Yesterday, John Tortorella was a guest on the Michael Kay Radio Show (ESPN Radio) and discussed how this year, despite the Rick Nash trade, was a sideway step for the team and just because the Rangers made it to the Eastern Conference Finals didn't mean the Finals were a guarantee...

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...this was the second straight interview with Kay that Tortorella mentioned that the team underestimated the loss of Prust, Dubi, Anisimov, etc. Assuming he feels a lot better about it now that the Rangers made the moves they did at the trade deadline.

...also found it very interesting that Torts would admit that it was almost Stepan in the Nash deal instead of Anisimov. Guess they made the right decision. lol

...i've got to say, I love Torts when he's a guest with Kay. He's very candid and much more likeable than he is with the beat writers. Wish he was on more.

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With the Islanders (55 pts.) picking up a point in their 2-1 shootout loss to the Sabres last night they moved into the 6th seed ahead of the Rangers (54 pts.) and Senators (54 pts.). The Rangers now need a minimum of one point today to clinch at least the 7th seed.

The sixth seed is also a real possibility but there's a lot of scenarios that need to playout:

The Rangers clinch the 6th seed if,
- Ottawa gains no more than two points in their remaining games.

- Rangers win their final game in regulation or overtime.

Ottawa clinches the 6th seed if,
- They earn three or more points in its final two games.

- They tie the Rangers in points but finish with more regulation/overtime wins (Ottawa bested the Rangers in their season series, giving them the second tiebreaker.)

The Islanders clinch 6th seed if,
- The Rangers lose its final game.

- Ottawa does not win either of its final two games in regulation or overtime, and gains no more than 2 points combined

Here are the standings...

...love these "Because it's the Cup" commercials.

Lots of injury news as Andrew Gross at the Bergen Record says that while Ryane Clowe did not practice today, John Tortorella expects him to be an important player for the Rangers in the playoffs.

...with the Newbury recall, it's highly unlikely he'll be in the Rangers line-up against the Devils tomorrow, however, Torts' comments has me optimistic about his return in time for the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Gross also reports that Derek Dorsett said he is awaiting a CT Scan to be cleared for contact.

Here's a pic of Dorsett at practice today (via Rangers Instagram)...

...with Clowe's status still up in the air the results of that CT scan are going to be very important.

Ryan Callahan also did not practice today and Gross suspects it has something to do with the shot he blocked with his hand last night.

When the season is hanging in the balance, you look to your leaders to step-up and carry the team to the finish line. And that's exactly what the Rangers captain Ryan Callahan did last night.

One look at the above stat line from last night tells you all you need to know about Callahan's influence and impact on the Rangers.

Here's video Cally's overtime winner in Raleigh...

....Callahan would be the first to admit he didn't have the best game in Florida the other night, but he made up for it in spades with his ridiculous effort last night. And that's what a captain is supposed to do. The man wearing the "C" doesn't always have to be the most skilled guy on the team, although Callahan is very talented, he has to be the guy the rest of the team is willing to run through a wall for and I think the Rangers have that guy.

...when the Rangers are going right, they personify the grit, determination and emotion of their captain. It's when they stray from that style of play that they get themselves in trouble.

...i truly cannot wait for the day when Captain Cally holds that Stanley Cup over his head in front of 18,200 at MSG cementing his place among the all-time great Rangers captains.

Here's Cally post game...