With a 4-3 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in overtime, the New York Rangers have clinched a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Rangers' captain Ryan Callahan scored the game-winning goal for New York.
NHL Playoffs: Rangers and Senators clinch, Jets eliminated
The NHL playoff participants have fallen into place in the East after Thursday’s action.
Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports
The Rangers tied their game with Carolina at three late in the third period on a fluke goal that bounced off the end boards and was then kicked into the net by Carolina goaltender Dan Ellis.
Once the Rangers had clinched, the Winnipeg Jets needed the Washington Capitals to beat the Ottawa Senators in order to keep their playoff hopes alive. That game went to overtime, which left the Jets a point away from elimination, but a Sergei Gonchar goal in overtime sent the Senators to the playoffs and officially eliminated Winnipeg.
All of the playoff participants in the East are now set, and the final games of the season will only determine the seeding. The Eastern Conference playoff teams are:
- Penguins
- Bruins
- Capitals
- Canadiens
- Maple Leafs
- Islanders
- Senators
- Rangers
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