Detroit makes playoffs despite loss to Rangers

New York — Despite ending the regular season with consecutive losses, the Detroit Red Wings found a way to extend their remarkable playoff streak.

Kevin Hayes scored with 5:38 remaining, Antti Raanta made 31 saves and the New York Rangers defeated the Red Wings 3-2 on Saturday.

Even with the loss, the Red Wings reached the playoffs for a 25th consecutive season when the Ottawa Senators beat the Boston Bruins 6-1. Detroit clinched third place in the Atlantic Division and will play the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round.

"It's great," first-year Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. "Our goal at the beginning of the season is to win the Stanley Cup, and to do that then, our immediate goal then was to find a way to earn a way into the Stanley Cup playoffs."

Hayes tipped Dylan McIlrath's shot past Jimmy Howard for his 14th goal of the season to make it 2-1. Oscar Lindberg added an empty-net goal to make it 3-1.

Detroit's Justin Abdelkader scored with 1:34 remaining to cut the deficit to 1, but New York was able to kill off two late penalties and hang on for the win.

Riley Sheahan scored in the second period for the Red Wings and Howard made 17 saves.

"It feels good," Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg said of making the postseason again. "We had good chances to really find the back of the net, but we just have to send a thanks to Ottawa. They showed up in Boston and played a good game."

Dan Boyle scored in the first period for the Rangers, who finished the regular season with 101 points and still don't know who they will meet in the playoffs, which start Wednesday.

Raanta got the start in goal for the Rangers in place of Henrik Lundqvist.

"I'm feeling really good." Raanta said. "The defenseman have been helping me a lot and guys have been blocking shots, so it has been a good run the last seven or eight games.

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