I found myself rooting for the Devils tonight, but only because a win for them is more of a help to the Rangers’ playoff hopes than a win for Carolina.

The puck bounced the Blueshirts’ way in more than one game tonight. Ottawa blew out the DiPietro-less Islanders, ensuring that two of the clubs ahead of the Rangers in the Wales standings stay idle. The losses by Carolina and the Isles help alleviate the sting of the Ranger loss to the Sens on Tuesday.

In tomorrow’s match-ups, the Rangers’ best friends will be Pittsburgh and the Capitals. If those two teams can shut down Montreal and Toronto, respectively&#151and if the Blueshirts can put away the Thrashers&#151then the playoff picture will that much brighter at the Garden.