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Playoff picture: Rangers, Isles, and Jets fighting for final two spots

John Tortorella, Rick Nash, Ryan Callahan, Brian Boyle

New York Rangers head coach John Tortorella, top, and players Ryan Callahan (24), Brian Boyle (22) and Rick Nash (61) look on from the bench during third-period NHL hockey game action against the Montreal Canadiens in Montreal, Saturday, March 30, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Graham Hughes)

AP

The New York Rangers made the playoff race a lot more interesting with last night’s 4-2 loss in Philadelphia. Add Winnipeg’s shootout win over Tampa Bay and the Islanders’ 5-2 destruction of Florida, and here’s how the standings look in the Eastern Conference:

Standings

The Isles have five games remaining, all of them on the road -- @ Toronto, @ Winnipeg, @ Carolina, @ Philadelphia, @ Buffalo.

The Rangers have a slightly easier slate -- Florida, @ Buffalo, New Jersey, @ Florida, @ Carolina, New Jersey.

And here’s what the Jets are facing -- Carolina, Islanders, @ Buffalo, @ Washington, Montreal.

Winnipeg could also still catch Washington for the Southeast Division title, though that seems unlikely the way the Caps have been playing.

Saturday’s game at the MTS Centre between the Jets and Isles looms large.

Also interesting to watch will be how all those non-playoff teams perform in a potential spoiler role. For example, we imagine the Devils wouldn’t mind being responsible for the Rangers missing the postseason.