Robert Edwards-USA TODAY SportsRobert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports Another NHL coach is on the unemployment line, and this time it’s one who previously worked behind the bench for the New York Rangers. David Quinn was fired by the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday after two seasons as their coach. The Sharks (19-54-9) finished last in the NHL with 47 points and a .287 points percentage this season. They did not win consecutive games after completing a season-high three-game winning streak with a 3-2 win against the Rangers on Jan. 23. San Jose was 6-22-5 in their final 33 games under Quinn and had a mise ..read more

Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY SportsDennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports Jacob Trouba may have been demoted to the third defense pair by the New York Rangers late in the regular season. But when the Rangers captain was needed most, he stepped up and delivered in a big spot in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday. Trouba helped the Rangers preserve a 4-3 victory by playing the final 2:48 of the third period after the Capitals pulled goalie Charlie Lindgren for an extra attacker. Coach Peter Laviolette paired Trouba and Ryan Lindgren for that extend ..read more

Brennan Othmann against Charlotte Checkers (Photo: John Mrakovcich/Hartford Wolf Pack) The Hartford Wolf Pack concluded the regular season with a record of 34-28-7-3 for 78 points. That was good enough for a 5th place finish in the Atlantic Division, 10th in the Eastern Conference, and 20th in the American Hockey League. That earned them a spot in the Calder Cup playoffs for the second consecutive year and an opening round matchup against the Charlotte Checkers. Hartford enters the postseason once again as underdogs, and will have their hands full with the Florida Panthers’ AHL affiliate. Rela ..read more

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY SportsVincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports Watching the first two games of the Eastern Conference First Round series between the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals, several things are becoming clear. For one, the Rangers are proving what was believed before the series began, that they are the deeper, more talented team. And partly because of that, the Washington Capitals must be nearly perfect and get a few breaks along the way, to even consider upsetting the Presidents’ Trophy winners. The Rangers lead the best-of-7 series 2-0 with the next two games to be pl ..read more

Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY SportsDennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports The Washington Capitals entered Game 2 on Tuesday with a mission to punish Artemi Panarin every chance possible. What they weren’t expecting was the amount of fight back in the New York Rangers’ superstar, who scored 120 points and only picked up 24 penalty minutes during the regular season. Throughout the match, the Capitals tried to harass Panarin as soon as he got the puck. Whether it was hitting, hooking, or holding, Washington was doing whatever they could to ensure he couldn’t get going offensively. Related: Rangers tak ..read more

Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY SportsDennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports Mika Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck each had a goal and an assist to help the New York Rangers edge the Washington Capitals 4-3 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First Round on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers have a 2-0 lead in the best-of-7 series, maintaining home-ice advantage ahead of Game 3 at Capital One Arena in Washington on Friday night. “I expected that tonight, kind of the way it played out, physical and some attitude directed inside of the game,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said. “I thought our ..read more

Danny Wild-USA TODAY SportsDanny Wild-USA TODAY Sports The New York Rangers may soon be facing a lineup conundrum as injured forward Filip Chytil inches closer to a return. After being ruled out for the season on January 28 due to an upper-body injury, the 24-year-old made a surprise return to practice on April 12. “It’s great to have him back out there,” coach Peter Laviolette said at the time. “We’re not going to rush him back. Whenever he feels, and the powers that be feel that he’s in a good spot, that’s a different story. Right now, there’s absolutely no timetable” Recent rumblings a ..read more

Danny Wild-USA TODAY SportsDanny Wild-USA TODAY Sports Talk about costly decisions. When the New York Rangers made Will Cuylle a healthy scratch for their March 23 game against the Florida Panthers, it cost the rookie a bonus of $82,500, according to PuckPedia. Cuylle needed to play all 82 games to reach the bonus and that game last month was the only one he missed this season. A consistent player on the third line all season, it was a surprise when Cuylle was scratched against the Panthers. Coach Peter Laviolette said at the time that with 13 healthy forwards, there would be a rotation of pla ..read more

Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORKAndy Abeyta/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK Dylan McIlrath played just one game in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the New York Rangers after they selected him with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2010 NHL Draft. On Tuesday at Madison Square Garden, he’ll play his second straight postseason game against his former team when the Washington Capitals try to even the best-of-7 playoff series in Game 2 against the Rangers. And McIlrath may have an expanded role against the Blueshirts since the Capitals are down three defensemen for Game 2. Vincent Iorio ..read more

Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY SportsWendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports The New York Rangers look to hold serve on home ice when they host Game 2 of their Eastern Conference First Round series against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday. The Blueshirts skated to an efficient 4-1 win in the opener of the best-of-7 series Sunday, receiving a pair of goals from the fourth line to spark the victory. They pulled away with three goals during a span of 2:06 in the second period of a game that was long on defensive play and short on scoring chances for either side. “I think it ‘s just one of those series that’s goi ..read more