Rangers clinch playoff berth with victory over Blue Jackets

"UNB! Network" Tri-State Sports Report

The Rangers clinched a playoff berth on Monday
night with a 4-2 victory over the Columbus Blue
Jackets (Getty Images) 

COLUMBUS -- The New York Rangers did clinch a playoff berth with their 4-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night, but they did lose defenseman Ryan McDonagh in the game after McDonagh blocked a shot in the first period.

"At this time he'll be reevaluated [Tuesday]," Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault said. "We're in that phase here where we're 'upper-body,' 'lower-body,' so we're calling it 'an upper-body."

With the win, the Rangers ended a three-game losing streak to qualify for the playoffs for a sixth consecutive season.

"It's a good feeling for sure," defenseman Marc Staal said. "We would have liked to have gotten it done the last couple of games but tonight we got it done. We deserved to get in."

The Rangers out-shot the Blue Jackets 30-29.

Chris Kreider, Dan Boyle, Mats Zuccarello, and Derek Stepan scored for the Rangers, while Nick Foligno had both of the Blue Jackets' goals.

Henrik Lundqvist made 27 saves for the Rangers, while Joonas Korpisalo made 26 saves for the Blue Jackets.

"It's a great feeling, a proud feeling," Lundqvist said. "It hasn't been pretty at times; at times it's been great. But playing in this League it's a grind and it's about finding ways to win a lot of games."

GAME NOTES:
Officials:
Referees: Tim Peel, Ghislain Hebert
Linesmen: Darren Gibbs, Matt MacPherson

Head Coaches:
Alain Vigneault: (New York Rangers)
John Tortorella: (Columbus Blue Jackets)

New York Rangers Scratches: Oscar Lindberg, Dylan McIlrath

Columbus Blue Jackets Scratches: Rene Bourque, David Clarkson, Scott Hartnell, Curtis McElhinney, Fedor Tyutin