Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl

The Rangers’ path to the playoffs was clear before Game 82 of the season, the likelihood it would pan out was cloudy at best.

Yet, one year after New York was sent home with a shootout loss at Philadelphia on the final day of the regular season, the Rangers took care of their business and then got help they never could have counted on.

A surreal scene played out at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, beginning with the surprise return of captain Chris Drury to the New York lineup. He scored his first goal of the season during his first shift and provided a lift that led to a 5-2 comeback victory over the New Jersey Devils.

That, coupled with the Carolina Hurricanes’ 6-2 home loss Saturday night to the Tampa Bay Lightning — who had nothing to play for — put the Rangers into the playoffs as the No. 8 seed and into a first-round matchup with the top-seededWashington Capitals.

Drury and several of his teammates got together to watch the Lightning’s victory, and rode the wave as Tampa Bay built a big lead and held on.

“The superstitious guys stayed away,” Drury said. “Obviously, we’re just happy with the outcome. We’re excited with the opportunity of playing Washington.

“Everyone was pretty cautious even though early it was 3-0.”

Ryan McDonagh netted the first of his NHL career during a three-goal second period and the Rangers coasted from there against the Devils, who are playing out the string in a rare non-playoff season.

The Rangers earned a win they needed in front of an excited, yet nervous crowd that will see the team play again this season. New York’s final game ended about four hours before the Lightning saved the season.

WRITTEN BY STATS LLC and The Associated Press & FULL STORY HERE