Rangers Host Lightning in Season Finale After Failing Playoff Bid

The New York Rangers are set to host the Tampa Bay Lightning at Madison Square Garden in a game with little at stake for the Rangers, who were recently eliminated from playoff contention and are closing out a disappointing season. Despite their struggles, the Rangers showed resilience by rallying from a deficit to beat the Panthers in their previous game, with coach Peter Laviolette urging continued professionalism. Artemi Panarin stands out for the Rangers, maintaining a high level of performance with significant point and assist milestones, while J.T. Miller has also contributed notably since joining the team. The Lightning, meanwhile, come into the game after a defensive collapse against the Jets but have shown offensive depth, with multiple players contributing goals. While Tampa Bay has posted strong offensive stats this season, they have struggled recently as underdogs and have a poor track record at Madison Square Garden, where favorites have consistently prevailed. Both teams are aiming to finish their regular seasons on a positive note, with individual player achievements providing a silver lining amid broader team challenges.