The Rangers have announced that Michael Haley along with nine other members of the CT Whlae have been recalled for the playoffs. Haley, however, will be the only one who will practice with the Blueshirts and travel with the team to Washington for the start of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The others, who include Dylan McIlrath, JT Miller, Christian Thomas, Brandon Segal, Brandon Mashinter, Ryan Bourque, Stu Bickel, Cam Talbot and Jason Missiaen, will skate on their own as a Taxi Squad of Black Aces in case they are needed as the playoffs progress.

...this move has me kind of worried about Clowe's status to start this series. I mean, why else would Haley practice with the team if Newbury's already been recalled? Assuming we'll get a full and thorough injury report on Clowe from Torts tomorrow. LOL!

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Larry Brooks at the New York Post says that after witnessing the Staal Family Reunion in Carolina on Thursday, the Rangers should be worried — very worried — about losing Marc Staal to the Hurricanes when the defenseman become a free agent in two years.

Staal's cap hit is $3.975 million per.

...to be honest, the last thing I'm worried about right now is whether Staal stays with the Rangers in two years. I'm way more interested in his health and if he'll be a part of this year's playoff run.

Now that the 2013 regular season is in the books for the New York Rangers, it's time to have a little fun. Let us revisit the season predictions of The New York Rangers Blog and see how right, or dead wrong, we all were.

First up, congratulations are in order for Adam Herman. He got NOTHING wrong, primarily because he didn't bother to make any predictions. Way to play it safe, Hermie.

Let's begin with the master himself... "Muted" Kevin DeLury. He decided to "reverse mush" the Rangers, hoping they would far exceed the lowest of low expectations he set.

Here are a sample of DeLury's bold predictions:

“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...