new jersey devils

With just two games left in the NHL season, the fate of many local teams has been decided.  The Rangers clinched the Eastern Conference's top spot on Tuesday, playoff positions for the Bruins and Devils have been sewn up, while the Islanders were eliminated from playoff contention seemingly sometime before the New York Jets were. The Sabres now stand as the only team with nothing more than seeding

Chance number two comes tonight. The Rangers, on the verge of closing out the Eastern Conference, visit a place they have suffered many horrors. Yes, the city of Philadelphia and the Flyers host the Rangers tonight! For a long time Rangers fan, even here in Albany, home of the arch-rival New Jersey Devils top farm club proves that love for the Rangers remains strong...

The Rangers held on to their tenuous Atlantic Division lead this week, but the big story is that after a long charge from the depths, the Sabres have wandered their way into playoff position. @JoeBianchino

Canada did the Rangers well Saturday night, as the Blue Shirts needed OT and the shoot-out to defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Pittsburgh Penguins lost in Ottawa giving the Rangers back their 3-point cushion for the top spot in the East...

Despite a rough week, the Rangers became the second team to clinch a playoff birth on Monday and though their conference lead is tenuous, they still sit atop the Eastern Conference and the local NHL teams - many of whom stumbled into Wednesday. @JoeBianchino

So the NJ Devils came ready for a brawl at the Garden last night. The Rangers accepted that challenge, won that, then won the hockey game beating the brawling Devs 4-2 in a HUGE win for the Broadway Blueshirts. The victory clinched a playoff spot the earliest the team has done that since winning the Presidents cup in 91-92...

It hasn't been pretty for the New York Rangers in recent weeks, but they were able to hold on and clinch the first playoff spot in the East.

Hang on one second here folks. Ok, there it is, my panic button. Step on this thing. Ok, I am back and my beloved Rangers, once with a commanding lead for the top playoff spot in the Eastern Conference must be feeling the neck get tight as the lead slowly slips away...

This weeks photo caption contest showed us a very interesting side of hockey.  Facebook fan Catherine Spann takes the honors this week with her caption, 'Is that your hockey stick, or are you just happy to see me?'

It was an odd week around the NHL, and our local teams of interest were not immune.  The Rangers, however, continue to lead them all. @JoeBianchino

Sometimes I wonder how the NHL isn't more popular then it is. It has all the elements American Sports fans love. Speed. Violence. Intensity. Good people. Hard hits. Great action. etc etc etc. Oh and great parity and playoff  races. Have you looked at the standings lately...

The Rangers may not have had their best week, but they maintain the best of the local NHL teams. @JoeBianchino