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GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Since being acquired by the Rangers in a blockbuster trade with Columbus last summer, Rick Nash has performed as advertised.

A dynamic forward who possesses that rare combination of size, speed and skill. One who can change the nature of a team’s lineup or change the complexion of an entire game. A player who creates a nightmare matchup for an opposing team.

But even though Nash has an impressive list of individual accomplishments -- an Olympic gold medal, numerous All-Star nods and an incredible run of nine straight 20-goal seasons -- Nash is missing one critical element that could define his legacy as a top player in the league: playoff success.

The former first overall pick in 2002, who spent the previous nine seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets, has made only one appearance in the playoffs. He has yet to win a single game.

His only taste of postseason action to date? A first-round series against the Detroit Red Wings in 2009, in which his Blue Jackets were swept and easily dispatched.

With four years since his last chance at making a postseason impact, consider Nash ready to rise to the challenge.

"We’ll find out," Nash said of embracing the pressure of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs. "It’s something all the great athletes have done. It’s time to step up now."

His postseason experience has been so limited that it took Nash a long time to answer when asked what he could draw from that disappointing initiation in 2009.

"Um, I don’t know," Nash said before a long pause. "It wasn’t the way we wanted it to go. It was a quick series, but getting a little taste of the energy, the excitement and what to expect, it’s nice to have that stuff under my belt."

Nash isn’t a stranger to the big stage, though. A member of the gold-medal-winning Canadian team in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, Nash has donned the Maple Leaf on his sweater enough in international competition to understand the type of pressure that comes with it.

"Any time you suit up for Hockey Canada, it’s on a huge stage, which is the same kind of feeling here," he said. "There’s a lot of pressure here to win; it’s a good feeling. It’s fun. This is when hockey counts, and it’s the same thing as when you play at the Olympics and stuff like that."

If Nash’s transition from a small-market locale like Columbus to the bright lights of Broadway is any indication, he is well-equipped to handle the scrutiny that comes with his star billing.

The 28-year-old led the team with 21 goals and finished second in scoring with 42 points in his debut season for the Rangers, and coach John Tortorella has never wasted an opportunity to extol his talents.

"He’s a game-breaker," Tortorella said. "It’s not just one particular thing. The way he handles himself in the room, handles himself off the ice, all the situations he’s been put in and has succeeded in. It’s a deal you do 10 times over, because you just don’t get that type of player that often."

Derek Dorsett, acquired in another Rangers trade with the Blue Jackets at the deadline this April, has played with Nash since 2008. Given what he’s seen him do on a nightly basis, Dorsett is confident he’ll be an important contributor come playoff time.

"Any time you play with a player like that, you sit back and kind of just watch and try to just learn," said Dorsett, who’s recovering from a fractured collarbone. "He’s a humble guy, [he] just goes about his business, but [after] playing with him for four or five years, it’s [still] amazing how big he is, how well he can move off the walls and how quick and explosive and powerful he can be."

Nash seems to grasp that this is an important series, not just for the team but himself as a player.

Nervous?

Not quite.

"Excitement’s a better word for it," he said. "Just looking forward to getting started and being a part of this."

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Pre-empting the crowd of reporters surrounding his dressing room stall, Marc Staal assured them he had no new information about his injured right eye.

And although Staal did not definitively rule himself out, he said he will "probably" not play in Game 1 of the team's first-round series against the Capitals in D.C. on Thursday.

"I'm not going to ... I'm probably not going to play tomorrow," said Staal, who has been sidelined since being struck in the eye with a puck March 5.

Staal continues to practice with the team in hopes of returning soon. The 26-year-old defenseman missed almost half of last season with a concussion.

"There are good and bad days," he said. "So, [I] keep taking it day by day and hope it keeps getting better."

• • • Ryane Clowe, whose undisclosed injury is believed to be a concussion, and Brian Boyle (lower body) did not practice with the team Wednesday

Derek Dorsett (shoulder) practiced in a yellow noncontact jersey.

• • •

With four days to rest, recover and prepare in between their regular-season finale against the Devils on Saturday and Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals Thursday, the Rangers have had their most significant amount of practice time thus far during the lockout-shortened season.

A good thing in some ways, though coach John Tortorella senses his team is getting restless.

"They're sick of practicing," Tortorella said. "We're not used to it, especially this year. You're playing every other day. Even the coaches ... we're just used to playing. This is the time of year you should be playing. Again, I'm not complaining, it's just a lot of time."

So much time, in fact, that Tortorella decided to wrap things up early Wednesday. Both Monday and Tuesday the team practiced for double sessions, with the second session devoted to special teams.

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- There were times during the first half of this season that Rangers coach John Tortorella wondered if Derek Stepan was fit to handle the responsibilities of the team's second-line center.

Now?

The 22-year-old pivot is the unequivocal choice to center the team's top line between speedy winger Carl Hagelin and captain Ryan Callahan.

"He's a 22-year-old guy that I use in every freaking situation," Tortorella said of Stepan. "He has proven to all of us that he has taken a huge step this year."

Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist was voted the team's MVP of the regular season, but among forwards, Stepan has been the team's most dynamic and consistent performer.

The Rangers, and Stepan, hope that continues once the playoffs begin with a first-round matchup against the Capitals on Thursday.

"That's what we'd like to do, obviously," Stepan said. "The way we're playing as a team, we'd like to carry that over. As a team, we've gotten better. You can just see it. We control games more."

In his third year as a pro, Stepan finished the regular season strong with eight goals (including three game-winners), 19 points and a plus-14 rating in the month of April, good enough to earn him accolades as the NHL's third star.

The Rangers will need him to sustain a high level of production if they are to contend with a supremely talented cast of offensive players for the Capitals in Round 1 of the playoffs.

"I am totally confident that he's going to be able to handle the things going into this playoff series," Tortorella said.

Stepan finished with one goal and nine points in 20 playoff games for the Rangers last spring. He recorded four assists in the team's second-round series against the Capitals.

But this year he plays a decidedly more important role as the catalyst to the team's offense, which heads into the postseason with an improved 2.62 goals per game (15th, NHL) following a stretch in which the Rangers were ranked dead last.

Beyond his versatility -- Stepan kills penalties and plays up front on the team's first power-play unit -- his greatest asset may be that he makes those around him better.

Linemate Ryan Callahan is riding a seven-game points streak (five goals, six assists) heading into the playoffs, while Rick Nash (now on a line with Mats Zuccarello and Brad Richards) played some of his best hockey to date while flanking Stepan on the right.

"I definitely had a good month. I felt good going into games. I was playing with a good confidence level," Stepan said. "Whoever I was playing with, I seem to develop chemistry with quick and those guys seemed to help quite a bit wherever I was. When you build chemistry like that it, helps your game."

Despite his youth, Stepan is practically a grizzled vet in the sense that he is preparing to face the Capitals for the third consecutive postseason.

He'll draw upon that experience but he knows that, once playoffs come, it's hard to know what to expect.

"You've been through it now and you get that aspect of it, but every playoffs is gonna be new and it's gonna be exciting," Stepan said. "It's gonna have a different feel to it."

The Rangers have yet to play their first game of the playoffs, but coach John Tortorella is already in peak postseason form.

Unprompted, Tortorella railed against the idea that he did not have a good relationship with former Ranger Marian Gaborik, who was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets at the deadline on April 3.

"Don't give me any s--- about my relationship with Gabby, because it's wrong and unfair to both of us," Tortorella said, in response to a question about the trade deadline acquisitions and their acclimation to the team.

Tortorella, who kept his skates on and warned he wasn't going to stay long to answer questions, said he liked the chemistry those additions bring.

"I just thought it changed our team a little bit. I know you guys [the media] will turn it around and say that we didn't like Gabby and you guys talk about the relationship I had with him ... Gabby was a [heck] of a player. And we miss him in a lot of situations -- he almost helped the team get in. So, it isn't that way. We ended up getting three or four players that solidified our core."

In case you were wondering, Tortorella was not in the mood to give an update on injured defenseman Marc Staal. Ryane Clowe and Brian Boyle did not skate Tuesday; neither player is expected back soon.

According to multiple reports out of Washington, Capitals forward Joel Ward is aiming to return to the lineup by Game 1 on Thursday in D.C.

The 32-year-old winger, sidelined since suffering a knee injury April 7, sounded optimistic he'd be available when the Caps host the Rangers in the opening game of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

“I’m hoping to," Ward said, according to the Washington Post. "Obviously we’ll see how these next couple days go,” Ward said. “I think my mind feels pretty good, it’s just I want to get in with the guys and kind of muck it up a little bit. I think the next couple days will be a pretty good test."

Ward would be one of the main beneficiaries of the surprisingly late start to the series and the Caps are hopeful that practice time will pay off.

Ward tallied the overtime series-clinching goal in Game 7 to knock off the Boston Bruins in the first round last April. He had eight goals and 20 points for the Caps before sustaining the injury, which sidelined him for the final nine games of the season.

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- In matching up against the Washington Capitals for the third straight year, beginning Thursday night in D.C., the Rangers face a familiar foe with an understanding of what to expect in a series between the two clubs.

Four times in the past five years the Rangers and Caps have met in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Coaches, personnel and system structures have changed, but the enmity has not.

"It's always a battle," Rangers captain Ryan Callahan said. "It seems like it usually goes the length or close to it. I think we match up against each other pretty evenly."

Last April was a prime example, when the teams met in Round 2. The top-seeded Rangers prevailed, but it took seven grueling games to do it.

No game was more indicative of the grit, passion and intensity level that characterized that series than Game 3 -- a triple-OT match that went on well past midnight in a true war of attrition until Marian Gaborik's game-winner ended it after 114 minutes of play.

"That was a really hard-fought series and that game pretty much summed it up," said defenseman Dan Girardi, who logged 44:26 minutes on the Rangers' back end that night. "Overall, I just think it's going to be a really big battle. I think in front of both nets is gonna be key, what team can establish the forecheck and control the tempo there."

Girardi has drawn the unenviable task of matching up against Alex Ovechkin throughout the years, and that duty is not bound to get any easier with Ovechkin entering the postseason on a stunning clip.

Capturing the Rocket Richard Trophy as the NHL's top goal-scorer for the third time in his NHL career, Ovechkin finished the regular season at a scorching pace. Earning the NHL's first star of the month, Ovechkin notched 14 goals and 22 points in the month of April while leading his team to yet another Southeast Divison title.

No. 8 may have gotten off to a sluggish start, in part because of a transition from his natural wing, but he has since proven that he can still electrify and dominate a game.

"He's dynamic whatever side he's on," Girardi said. "He never really stays on one side for long… so we'll have our hands full with him. He's playing really well right now. We've got to be sharp against that line and their second, third, and fourth lines. They have four solid lines that can fore-check and score some goals. We're going to have to be very strong defensively."

The Rangers will likely have to do so without cornerstone defenseman Marc Staal, who has yet to play since suffering a frightening eye injury March 5.

Staal continued to practice with the team Monday, but does not appear to be nearing a return.

"I haven't written myself off, obviously," Staal said. "So far, every day I try to improve and get more work in and get more comfortable and confident with the puck in situations I'm going to be in on the ice."

With that gaping hole on their back end, the Rangers may choose to split their normal defensive pairings and separate Girardi and partner Ryan McDonagh ( as coach John Tortorella indicated before Saturday's game ) to achieve more balance on the blue line. Regardless, the Rangers will have to rely on reigning Vezina Trophy winner Henrik Lundqvist in net.

Though 23-year-old Braden Holtby has been impressive of late for the Caps, Lundqvist gives the Rangers a distinct edge in goal.

Plus, he will be well rested with four days off after making 14 consecutive starts to end the regular season.

Lundqvist has plenty of experience playing against Washington in the playoffs, but this year's team is a decidedly new look than previous years, he said.

"It's the same team name but it's a different look, especially when I look at them over the last four, five years here," Lundqvist said. "It was all about offense, then all about defense, now it's in the middle. They're a team where you have to respect a lot of things about their game, especially their offensive, top guys."

Fortunately for the Rangers, they’ll have three full days to prepare for the new-look Caps under rookie head coach Adam Oates' direction. That's a luxury afforded them with an unusual schedule that doesn't have the teams meeting until Thursday for Game 1.

That would be a blessing for the Rangers, especially if it allowed injured players like Staal, Ryane Clowe and Brian Boyle to return to action, but none seem to be on the immediate horizon.

Plus, the series ends in unusual fashion with Games 6 and 7 slated to be played on back-to-back nights Sunday May 12 and Monday May 13.

The schedule won't make much difference, Girardi said. After all, both teams know what they're in for in Round 1.

"Both teams know each other really well and I think both teams are raring to get going," Girardi said. "I think we both wish we were starting earlier, but both teams will be ready come Thursday."

With a standout 19-point effort, Rangers center Derek Stepan was named the NHL's third star for the month of April.

The 22-year-old pivot finished second in scoring with 19 points, behind April's first star Alex Ovechkin, and recorded a plus-14 rating in 14 games.

Stepan, who centers the Rangers' top line between winger Carl Hagelin and captain Ryan Callahan, also added three game-winning goals during that span.

Ovehckin, whom the Rangers will face in the first round of the playoffs beginning with Game 1 on Thursday, scorched the competition for top honors. He finished the month with 14 goals and 22 points in 13 games en route to the Capitals 11-1-1 record down the stretch.

Blues goaltender Brian Elliott nabbed the second star of the month with an 11-2-0 record, 1.28 goals against average, .948 save percentage and three shutouts in 13 games.

Below is the schedule for the 2013 Eastern Conference quarterfinals series between the Rangers and Capitals, released late Sunday night:

Note: The Rangers have four days off until Game 1 on Thursday, but would potentially play back-to-backs in Games 6 and 7 if the series goes the distance.

No. 3 Washington Capitals vs. No. 6 New York Rangers

Game 1 (Washington, D.C.): Thursday at 7:30 p.m., NBC Sports Network, TSN

Game 2 (Washington, D.C.): Saturday at 12:30 p.m., NBC, TSN

Game 3 (New York): Monday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m., NBC Sports Network, TSN

Game 4 (New York): Wednesday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m., NBC Sports Network, TSN

Game 5* (Washington, D.C.): Friday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m., TSN

Game 6* (New York): Sunday, May 12 at TBD, TSN

Game 7* (Washington, D.C.): Monday, May 13 at TBD, TSN

*If necessary

With the regular season over and the Rangers' first-round opponent set -- New York will face Washington in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals -- the team has recalled 10 players from the AHL's Connecticut Whale.

This set of players essentially forms a taxi squad that usually practices separate from the main group. Should an injury require a lineup change, the Rangers have cast of players from which to pick.

The Rangers recalled forwards Ryan Bourque, Micheal Haley, Brandon Mashinter, J.T. Miller Brandon Segal and Christian Thomas; defensemen Stu Bickel and Dylan McIlrath; and goaltenders Jason Missiaen and Cam Talbot.

Of those 10 players, Haley will practice with the Rangers on Monday and will make the trip to D.C. for Games 1 and 2.

Ready for another Rangers-Caps playoff series?

Hours after the Rangers wrapped up the regular season with a 4-0 blanking of the New Jersey Devils, the Senators dropped a 2-1 decision to the Flyers in regulation, allowing New York to secure the No. 6 seed in the East.

The Rangers will face the Southeast Division-winning Washington Capitals in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, the fourth time in five years the two clubs meet in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

New York and Washington met last season in Round 2, with the Rangers edging the Caps in a seven-game series that included an epic triple-overtime thriller in Game 3.

It is not immediately clear when the series will start -- Tuesday or Wednesday -- but the Rangers will open Games 1 and 2 on the road with the Capitals enjoying home-ice advantage.

Brad Richards will be the first to acknowledge his struggles this season -- and identify himself as his own biggest impediment -- but the 32-year-old veteran has turned his game around and it could not have come at a better time.

With two assists in the team’s 4-0 shutout win (his 900th NHL career game) over the Devils Saturday, Richards extended his point streak to six games; he now has five goals and 11 points during that span.

Centering a line with Mats Zuccarello and Rick Nash seems to have brought out the best in Richards, especially his play-making ability. Richards laced a perfect pass to Nash for a 3-0 Rangers lead in the second period of Saturday’s regular-season finale and set up what would be Nash’s second goal of the game in the third.

His best hockey yet this year?

"It probably is, the whole season," said the team’s alternate captain. "It’s been a work in progress obviously, but it’s a good time to start feeling good."

The cerebral Richards, often times deemed a "mental case" by his coach John Tortorella for his tendency to over-think things, internalized quite a bit during the course of this lockout-shortened season. When he wasn’t playing well -- a 15-game goalless drought early in the season, another rough stretch in mid-April -- he’d beat himself up for his lack of production.

That often only made matters worse.

"If it’s an 82-game season, I probably don’t let some of the things get to me that I did, but the position we [were] in, it’s tough to see your team battling in [the] eighth, ninth, seventh spot and [you're] not producing," Richards said.

Richards, who inked a nine-year, $60 million contract with the Rangers in July of 2011, admits he was probably his own worst enemy during those low points of the season.

"I might have forced it a little bit because of the short season; I just got out of my game," he said. "My mind got in the way a little bit. Finally, something broke through. Guys were doing a great job of keeping us afloat and I start contributing. It just feels better."

The former Conn Smythe Trophy winner, who won a Stanley Cup Championship playing under Tortorella while both were in Tampa Bay, has been a dynamic playoff performer in the past. Richards hopes that continues as the Rangers head into the post-season next week.

"I don’t know what’s going to happen, but it’s a relief to get in and it’s a great time of year. I’m excited and ready to go," Richards said. "This is by far the best time to play hockey and I can’t wait."

More important than avoiding the dreaded first-round matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Rangers propelled themselves into the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs with the type of win that bolsters confidence and provides some promise.

In beating up on the Devils 4-0 in the regular season finale at Madison Square Garden Saturday, the Rangers soothed some doubts that may have crept in with a less-than-stellar march to the finish line.

The Rangers avoided an eighth-place finish and secured the No. 6 seed heading into the postseason, where they'll face the third-seeded Washington Capitals in the first round.

It was a far cry from the dominant regular season from last-year’s group, but it felt just as good to coach John Tortorella to see his club scratch and claw their way to the end.

"You’re g--damn right I’m proud of ’em," Tortorella said. "I like ’em. I think it’s a good team."

Star winger Rick Nash tallied twice and goaltender Henrik Lundqvist made 20 saves to secure his second shutout of the season in his 14th consecutive start. With his 51st career shutout, the reigning Vezina Trophy winner surpassed Eddie Giacomin as the Rangers' all-time leader in that category.

It was an important game for Nash, held off the scoresheet in the previous three contests, to pick up his play heading into the post-season.

Before joining the Rangers in a blockbuster trade this summer, Nash played in only one playoff series, when his Columbus Blue Jackets were swept by the Detroit Red Wings back in 2009.

"It’s what I signed up for," Nash said of playing playoff hockey in New York. "There’s not a bigger stage. I think great athletes love the pressure. ... I’m sure most of the guys in this room understand what it’s like to play in the playoffs here but I’m about to find out fast."

The team’s top line of Carl Hagelin, Derek Stepan and Ryan Callahan set the tone, combining for a 2-0 lead in the first period.

Callahan made a deft feed to find Stepan in the crease for the game’s first goal 2:37 into play. Stepan, who Tortorella called the team’s most "consistent" performer this season, later returned the favor, intercepting a pass at the red line to spring Callahan for a short-handed breakaway later in the period.

"It’s been a really good line," Tortorella said. "We broke it up at a certain time, just trying to get some sort of balance and try to get a couple other people going, but we come back to it and it’s been a very good line."

Nash padded the Rangers’ two-goal lead with his 20th and 21st goals of the season, with alternate captain Brad Richards setting up his linemate on both.

Extending his point streak to six games, Richards laced a pass through two Devils defenders to find Nash at the left circle with 2:37 to play in the second while linemate Mats Zuccarello dished off to Nash in the third for his second goal of the day.

The diminutive Norwegian winger, who missed last year’s playoffs with a broken hand, is making a major impact on the team this season.

"I love playing with him," Richards said. "His hockey sense and the little plays he makes, reminds me a little of Marty St. Louis when I was in Tampa ... he’s brought a lot to us."

There are still some questions to be answered with this year’s club -- and significant injuries to players like Marc Staal, Brian Boyle and Ryane Clowe will likely be a factor -- but the Rangers are rolling into the playoffs on the right note.

The identity of the 2013 Rangers is not identical to that of last season’s team. In fact, Tortorella is still trying to discern that identity. But, for now, he’s happy with what he sees.

"I’m not sure what the personality of the team is -- last year we knew our personality -- this team’s a little different than last year, but I just think we’re sustaining better," Tortorella said. "That’s the important thing."

What it means: The Rangers avoided a matchup against the dominant Pittsburgh Penguins with a 4-0 win against the Devils in the regular-season finale at Madison Square Garden Saturday. Held off the scoresheet in three games heading into's Saturday's matinee, Rick Nash tallied twice for the Rangers, who closed out the season with 56 points. Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist made 20 saves in his 14th consecutive start to record his second shutout of the season. Now, the Rangers will face the Washington Capitals in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

Another chance: Dragged down on a breakaway that went un-penalized earlier in the period, Nash went on to notch his 20th goal of the season anyway, beating Devils goaltender Johan Hedberg for a 3-0 Rangers lead in the second. Extending his point streak to six games, alternate captain Brad Richards made a seamless feed to Nash at the left circle with 2:37 remaining in the middle frame. That line connected again in the third period for Nash's second goal of the day -- and 21st of the season -- after Mats Zucccarello found Nash for a 4-goal Rangers lead, with Richards picking up a secondary assist. Richards has registered five goals and 11 points over the last six games.

Top line: The Rangers’ top line of Carl Hagelin, Dererk Stepan and Ryan Callahan led the way for the Blueshirts in the first, securing a 2-0 lead heading into the intermission. Callahan fed Stepan from behind the net for a 1-0 Rangers lead 2:37 into play. Stephan returned the favor later in the period, intercepting a pass at the red line and dishing off to Callahan who beat Hedberg five-hole for a shorthanded goal with less than a minute to play.

No Clowe: The Rangers were without Ryane Clowe, who suffered an undisclosed injury in Thursday’s playoff-clinching win over Carolina. Kris Newbury was recalled from the minors to replace Clowe in the lineup. Meanwhile, gritty forward Arron Asham returned to the lineup after missing Thursday’s game to be with his wife, who gave birth that night.

Brodeur on bench: With the Devils already eliminated from playoff contention (the Rangers officially ousted them last week), goaltender Martin Brodeur sat out the season’s finale. That didn’t stop Rangers fans from taunting him while on the bench, however. The crowd at MSG chanted “We want Marty!” throughout the game and jeered the future Hall of Famer even when it was Hedberg who surrendered a goal.

Up Next: Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals; against the Washington Capitals.

At a glance: With a playoff spot already locked up following Thursday's OT win against Carolina, the Rangers wrap up the regular season with a divisional clash against the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden. Eliminated by the Rangers last week, the Devils wouldn't mind knocking off their rivals one last time as the Blueshirts aim for a higher seed in the Eastern Conference standings.

No clue yet: Though the Islanders played their last game of the season Friday night, picking up a point in a 2-1 shootout loss to Buffalo to finish with 55 points and move into sixth place, the Rangers' first-round opponent has yet to be determined.

The eighth-place Rangers can still finish as high as the No. 6 seed and as low as No. 8; it all depends on what happens this weekend. The Rangers are still trying to catch both the seventh-place Senators and the Isles, though Ottawa owns a game in hand. The Sens play both Saturday and Sunday and are currently tied with the Rangers in points with 54.

No Clowe: The Rangers will be without Ryane Clowe, who was forced from Thursday's playoff-clinching win with an undisclosed injury. The 30-year-old winger did not practice with the team Friday and the Rangers made a move to recall gritty forward Kris Newbury from the Connecticut Whale (AHL).

Who's in net? Henrik Lundqvist will make his 14th consecutive start Saturday. The Rangers had the option of resting him, with their post-season berth already secured, but opted to let him play instead. Lundqvist has played all but five of 48 regular season games.

Brodeur to sit: According to the Newark Star-Ledger, Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur will sit out Saturday's finale. The future Hall of Famer would have played had the game held some meaning, but with no implications for the Devils he will watch from the bench. Coach Pete DeBoer told reporters that Johan Hedberg will get the start.

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Clinching a playoff spot in their penultimate game of the season Thursday night at Carolina, the Rangers don't have much time to celebrate or relish their third straight post-season appearance.

There's one more game to go and even this one has meaning, as the Rangers try to vie for the No. 6 seed when they host the New Jersey Devils Saturday for a matinee at Madison Square Garden.

The seventh-place Rangers can finish as high as a No. 6 seed and as low as a No. 8 seed.

“We’re still playing in our home barn, our fans are there,” defenseman Ryan McDonagh said. “It’s our last game of the regular season and we still have a chance to move up in the standings, depending on how teams shake out. We’re just gonna approach it like another huge two points, which it is, and try to get another win on home ice.”

The quick turnaround doesn’t provide much time for relief or reflection for the team, but there is a sense of re-invigoration now that they have secured a spot.

“It’ll be a fresh slate, for sure. Just kind of the weight off your shoulders. I think for three weeks we’ve been pretty ingrained in this battle, the ups and downs of it,” said alternate captain Brad Richards, who has five goals in the last five games. “We had to put a pretty good streak together, so we’re proud of ourselves that we did that, but we’re just happy we got it over with it. We all know anything can happen now that you’re in.”

Last season’s Stanley Cup Final -- a match-up between the No. 8-seed L.A. Kings and No. 6-seed New Jersey Devils -- is a good reminder of that.

“It’s a perfect example, I think,” McDonagh said. “I think, in this day and age in the NHL, competition between teams is so close ... It’s always a battle just to get in, especially in a shortened season like this. If you’re in there, you just want to try to be peaking, get yourself on a good run and see how far it takes you.”

The Rangers may have to make their run without trade deadline acquisition Ryane Clowe.

The rugged 30-year-old winger was forced from Thursday’s playoff-clinching win in Carolina with an undisclosed injury and did not practice Friday with the team.

In wake of Clowe’s injury, the Rangers recalled Kris Newbury.

Coach John Tortorella said he did not know the severity of Clowe’s injury but predicted he’d be a valuable asset if he is a part of their playoff lineup.

“I’m not sure what all falls into place as far as when playoffs start, but I’m projecting him to be a pretty important playoff player for us,” Tortorella said. “He has the experience; he has the heavy body for it. He’s done really good stuff along the wall for us since he's been here. His strengths are really important if you're looking to compete in the playoffs.”

Tortorella was also asked if he will use Saturday as an opportunity to give starting goaltender Henrik Lundqvist a chance to rest. Lundqvist made his 13th consecutive start on Thursday.

“Oh, I don’t know,” Tortorella said. “I don’t know what I’m going to do with my lineup tomorrow.”

Lundqvist has played all but five of 47 games this season.