First-place Rangers?
Well, yes, that they were going into last night’s Atlantic showdown at the Garden against the second-place Flyers.
But first things first.
Which for the Blueshirts meant that getting one point out of last night’s match would clinch their first playoff berth since 1996-97.
“If we clinch it, I think is will be business as usual for us, though there might be a minor sense of relief at having put that behind us,” Tom Renney said following yesterday’s morning skate. “Our guys have been on a mission all year to make the playoffs, so from that sense, it certainly is an accomplishment.
“I think it means that as a group we did something pretty special here, but we still have work to do. It’s a milestone, and it’s a building block. We don’t want to just be in the postseason, we want to make noise in the playoffs, and I believe we can.
“But from the immediate standpoint, clinching a spot might free us up to play the way we did earlier in the year. I think we’ve been a little bit tight. We need to improve.”
The Rangers had won only two of their last six (2-2-2) and six of 16 since the Olympics (6-6-4), yet held a two-point lead over the Flyers, with each team having eight to play including last night.
The clubs were tied in victories – the first positional tie-breaker – with 41 apiece. The Rangers led the season series – the second tie-breaker – 8-7 in points earned. The Blueshirts also led in overall goal-differential – the third tie-breaker – by 39 goals.
Kevin Weekes was in the nets as Henrik Lundqvist nursed a mild hip-flexor he first suffered last week but aggravated while practicing on Monday.
“I think that if the game was of real relevance . . . as in a must-win, Henrik could play,” Renney said. “At the same time, Kevin has been outstanding against the Flyers, so it’s wonderful that he’s getting the start because I think he’s the right guy.”
In Philadelphia, where Weekes registered a 5-3 victory on opening night and a 6-1 triumph in the first post-Olympic match, maybe the veteran would be the right guy and maybe – maybe – Renney would have considered going with him even if the King were in perfect health.
It’s difficult – if not impossible – to make the case for Weekes at home, however, given both the unfriendly reception he’s received most of the year from the Garden fans and his inability to win on Broadway. Maybe it’s a chicken-and-egg, but Weekes hadn’t won a home game since a Nov. 19, 4-3 victory over the Hurricanes.
He’d gone 0-2-1 in four Garden starts since then-four starts in 28 home games – including last Monday’s no-decision against Buffalo in which he was pulled after the second, having allowed four goals on 23 shots. The Rangers rallied to win that one behind Lundqvist in a shootout. Weekes was 2-3-2 overall at home; Lundqvist, 21-5-4.
“I’m not concerned about the crowd or Kevin making early saves to get the fans on his side,” Renney said. “I have lots of faith in Kevin; I do every time he goes out there.”
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Jaromir Jagr, stuck on 52 goals for two games, went for franchise record last night against Flyers’ Robert Esche, against whom he had scored nine times on 25 shots in the six previous games between the clubs.
larry.brooks@nypost.com
