Rangers score in overtime to seal third consecutive playoff berth.
Following Thursday night’s games, the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference is complete with all eight teams decided.
Although there could still be movement within the top eight in the East, the representatives have booked their post season seats with the New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators both sealing overtime victories on the road.
The Rangers rallied to beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3, with captain Ryan Callahan scoring the winning goal, while the Senators got past the Washington Capitals 2-1.
Ottawa, the Rangers and the Islanders each have 54 points, with the Senators sitting in sixth place as they have a game in hand on their two rivals.
Meanwhile, the Islanders trail the Rangers as a result of their tiebreaker record, but will undoubtedly be delighted having booked their first playoff appearance since 2007.
The outcomes of Thursday’s match-ups ended the hopes of the Winnipeg Jets, who needed to beat the Montreal Canadiens and hope for help. However, that help failed to arrive.
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