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Apr 3, 2010 - 4:17 AM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

New York (34-32-10) at Florida (31-34-12), 7:00 p.m. EDT

A sudden jolt of offense has rejuvenated the New York Rangers' playoff chances in the cluttered Eastern Conference. The Florida Panthers may be out of time to make a run.

The Rangers seek to win for the fifth time in six games when the teams face off Saturday night in Florida.

New York (35-32-10) appeared destined to miss the playoffs after a 2-5-2 stretch, but has since gone 4-0-1 to climb back into serious contention. The Rangers have totaled 20 goals in their last five games - one fewer than in the previous nine. They're tied with Atlanta for ninth in the East, two points back of Boston and Philadelphia for the final two playoff spots.

New York has a game in hand on the Flyers, but would also lose a tiebreaker by virtue of having fewer wins.

"It's tough when you have to scoreboard watch a little," said center Brandon Dubinsky, who has three goals in four games after a personal seven-game drought. "But you play for the pressure and you play for the chance to get an opportunity to win the (Stanley) Cup."

New York helped its cause Friday, scoring four times in the opening 14:55 and cruising to a 5-0 win at Tampa Bay.

"We're happy to win, but we're still in a tough spot, and it's important we stay focused," said Henrik Lundqvist, who made 30 saves for his fourth shutout of the season and second in five games. "Nobody's real excited, so we just break it down now to every game ... and try to play out best right down the stretch."

Marian Gaborik has three goals and two assists in his last five games, giving him team highs of 40 goals and 81 points. The right wing is two goals and two points of matching his career highs, set with Minnesota in 2007-08.

Gaborik has three goals and one assist in three games against the Panthers this season - two of which New York has won - including a goal in a 2-1 shootout victory at Florida on Nov. 25.

Eight points behind the Flyers and Bruins with five games to play, the Panthers (31-34-12) are virtually out of playoff contention. If they lose Saturday and Boston earns at least one point at Toronto, the Panthers will miss their ninth consecutive postseason.

The Panthers stayed mathematically alive Thursday, ending a four-game losing streak as Scott Clemmensen made 36 saves in a 1-0 win at Boston.

"We don't have a whole lot else to play for except upsetting some teams," said defenseman Keith Ballard, who scored his second goal in three games. "It was a big game for them. We are going to run into a few more of those in the last couple weeks here."

Clemmensen, 3-0-1 with a 1.50 goals-against average in his last four games, might get a second consecutive start. Tomas Vokoun is mired in a six-game losing streak, with a 4.22 goals-against average in that span. Still, Clemmensen says he understands his role as the backup.

"It's not my personality to pout or complain or be a distraction," he told the team's official Web site. "It's all about being ready and your mental state. The quickest way to having a job you like is to take pride in what you do no matter what it is."

Clemmensen has won his last three matchups against the Rangers, compiling a 2.34 GAA and posting a shutout.