Rangers Grip on Playoffs Still Tentative

PENGUINS 4

RANGERS 3

If the New York Rangers are going to make one last push for the postseason, they can ill afford losses like the one suffered tonight. The Pittsburgh Penguins beat up the Rangers 4-3, jumping over the Rangers to take the sixth spot in the playoffs. The Rangers now hold a slim one point lead over the Carolina Hurricanes for the seventh seed, and are only two points ahead of the Florida Panthers for the final playoff spot.

Pittsburgh got off to a fast start as Max Talbot and Matt Cooke scored in a span of over two minutes to take a 2-0 lead in the first period. The Rangers came back to tie the game, after Brandon Dubinsky's goal with five seconds remaining in the first period made it 2-2.

But, the Penguins fought back. Ruslan Fedotenko scored his 14th goal of the year to give Pittsburgh a 3-2 lead. The Rangers came back later to tie it up, but it was not enough.

Sidney Crosby scored his 29th goal of the year to give the Penguins the lead and the win.

The Rangers now fall to 39-28-9 on the season.