Flyers Fall Short, Rangers Clinch a Playoff Spot

NEW YORK (AP) -- The Flyers offense came up short as the Flyers dropped to the New York Rangers 2-1 Thursday night.

Ryan Callahan and Henrik Lundqvist helped the Rangers wrap up a playoff spot -- and took most of the drama out of their season finale.

Callahan had a goal and an assist in the first period, and Lundqvist made 37 saves in New York's 2-1 victory.

"It's more excitement than relief," Callahan said. "We've been working hard and it's exciting to get that final push and finally get a spot."

The Rangers, set to close the regular season Sunday in Philadelphia, are fighting Montreal for the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. The Canadiens, tied with the Rangers with 93 points, will finish Saturday night against Pittsburgh. The seventh seed will open the playoffs against Washington, and the eighth seed will face Boston.

Early in the third, Lundqvist preserved the Rangers' one-goal lead with a spectacular diving glove stop on Daniel Carcillo. Lundqvist won for the 37th time, tying his career high set in 2006-07 and also matched last season.

"I am excited, but I'm also proud of what we accomplished here," Lundqvist said. "It's a been a roller coaster, but it's always like that. It's a long season. We've been through a lot. It's a new experience to go through a coaching change."

Daniel Briere scored for Philadelphia and Martin Biron made 29 saves.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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