Penguins, Capitals, Bruins or Lightning? Rangers can get favorable first-round opponent – but only if they lose the division

NHLI through Getty Photos (3), USA Right this moment Sports activities (Ovechkin)

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So there are 4 practical first-round opponents for the Rangers, who're two factors off Carolina’s division lead and maintain a recreation in hand with six contests remaining to the ’Canes’ 5. That features an April 26 head-to-head confrontation on the Backyard.

Barring an excessive improvement, when the puck drops for Sport 1, the Penguins, the Capitals, the Bruins or the Lightning will likely be on the opposite facet.

An interlude right here to supply a primer on tiebreakers: First comes regulation wins – Carolina has 43, the Rangers have 41. Subsequent comes regulation and extra time victories (that means all the non-shootout selection) – Carolina has 48, the Rangers have 45. Third, within the unlikely occasion this is able to come into the play, comes total victories – each groups have 49.