The Rangers edged the Flyers to clinch a playoff berth

NHL

by Molly Walker

For 40 minutes, this game was a classic for this time of year.

That was until the Rangers decided that wouldn't be the case.

The Blueshirts — without four regular skaters — rallied from a two-goal deficit behind two Alexis Lafreniere goals in the third period before Adam Fox scored in overtime to officially punch their ticket to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in a 6-5 win over the Flyers on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.

The Rangers have been in first place in the Metropolitan Division since Oct. 24, and have been in a prime postseason position all season.

The prospect of clinching a playoff berth on March 26 doesn't seem like a big deal.

Philadelphia, on the other hand, had to fight tooth and nail to keep its playoff hopes alive.

The visitors were driven by their desperate desire for two points, which was necessary so that the Flyers could maintain their sole possession of the No. 3 spot in the Metro and stay above the playoff cut line.