Overview
- The Rangers, who won 4-2 on Wednesday in Tampa, leaned on Tye Kartye’s first NHL three-point night with two goals and an assist.
- Rookie goalie Dylan Garand stopped 29 of 31 shots in his third NHL start and, with Jonathan Quick retiring this week, strengthened his case to back up Igor Shesterkin next season.
- Tampa Bay rested several regulars and is locked into the Atlantic Division’s No. 2 seed, setting up a first-round series against the Montreal Canadiens.
- New York’s draft lottery position now hinges on the Calgary Flames’ finale on Thursday, with a Calgary win securing the Rangers the third-best odds for the May 5 drawing.
- This finish fits a declared retool under Drury, which included trading Artemi Panarin to the Kings for prospect Liam Greentree and picks, as youngsters like Gabe Perreault and Alexis Lafrenière (who matched his career-high 57 points) drove late-season gains.