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Rangers look to lock up playoff spot

Apr 3, 2008 - 4:24 PM NY Rangers (41-27-11) at NY Islanders (34-37-9) 7:00 pm EDT

UNIONDALE, New York (Ticker) - The New York Rangers aim to officially clinch a playoff spot when they visit the New York Islanders in the first game of a home-and-home series on Thursday.

The Rangers are in fifth place in the Eastern Conference and hold a three-point lead over ninth-place Washington (41-31-8). New York can also clinch if the Capitals lose to Tampa Bay on Thursday.

Chris Drury scored a power-play goal at 1:46 of overtime to lift the Rangers to a 2-1 victory over Pittsburgh on Monday.

Drury also had an assist and Jaromir Jagr tallied a goal and an assist for the Rangers, who have played beyond regulation in four of their last six games.

The Islanders have struggled down the stretch with just two wins in their last 12 games.

Zach Parise scored the game-winner in overtime as the New Jersey Devils dealt the Islanders a 2-1 defeat on Tuesday. Josef Vasicek scored New York's lone goal in the first period.

The Islanders have won four of the six meetings so far this season. The teams finish the season series at the Rangers on Friday.