Rangers Win Presidents Trophy Clinch East

The  New York Rangers won the Presidents' Trophy for the best regular-season record for the third time in franchise history, and first time since 1994.

The 4-2 win over the New Jersey Devils, was the Rangers' fifth straight, and fourth with Lundqvist in net.  Their record improved to 52-21-7 for 111 points. The 52-wins ties the franchise record and the point total is one less than that franchise mark, both set in 1993-94, the last time they won the Stanley Cup. The Rangers still have two games to play before the NHL playoffs start next week.

The Rangers, don't know who they'll face in the opening round of the Eastern Conference playoffs yet , but Game 1 will be at Madison Square Garden sometime next week. "It's not an easy thing to do," coach Alain Vigneault said. "You look at the teams still fighting to get into the playoffs. It's a challenging thing. For our group, it's one thing in the direction that we're looking to get to. I'm very proud of our group but we all know that we are going to be judged by what we do in the playoffs. So this is a first step and we're going to get ready for the next one."  If the playoffs were to begin today they would face the red hot Boston Bruins, who are on a 5 game win streak.