The New York Rangers have officially secured a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs after a thrilling 6-5 overtime victory against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday. With their playoff berth locked in, the Rangers set their sights on the next milestone: winning the Metropolitan Division.

Leading the division with a three-point advantage over the Carolina Hurricanes and a game in hand, the Rangers are determined to claim the top spot. Center Mika Zibanejad expressed the team's desire, stating, "We have a battle with Carolina right now for the No. 1 spot in our division. We want it."

The Rangers' consistent performance throughout the season has been their calling card. They have showcased their resilience and determination, even overcoming a slight slump in January. With a record of 48-20-4, the Rangers have been at least four games over .500 in every month, proving their consistency and ability to compete at a high level.

Missing key defensemen Jacob Trouba and Ryan Lindgren due to lower-body injuries has not stopped the Rangers from winning three consecutive games. They have demonstrated their depth and resilience, triumphing over challenges and emerging victorious even in the absence of crucial players.

Coach Peter Laviolette commended the team's recent performances, highlighting their strong defensive game and relentless effort. The Rangers have shown the ability to bounce back from deficits, winning 18 games after giving up the first goal and seven when trailing going into the third period.

Individual players have also stepped up with remarkable performances this season. Artemi Panarin leads the team with an impressive 102 points, the most by a Rangers player since Jaromir Jagr's team-record 123 in the 2005-2006 season. Goaltender Igor Shesterkin has rebounded from a tough start and has been stellar in net, boasting a 12-3-1 record with a 2.24 goals-against average, .931 save percentage, and three shutouts since February 9th.

Despite their accomplishments, the Rangers remain focused on their ultimate goal: winning the Stanley Cup. While securing a playoff berth is a significant step, the team knows that there is more work to be done. With ten games remaining in the regular season, their immediate objective is to secure first place in the division and potentially contend for the Presidents' Trophy.

Coach Laviolette emphasized the importance of maintaining consistency and not making unnecessary lineup changes in these crucial final games. He wants to ensure that the team remains healthy and fully prepared for the playoffs, adhering to the successful formula that has brought them to this point.

As the Rangers continue their journey towards the playoffs, they are determined to keep their focus and drive intact. Captain Mika Zibanejad summed it up by saying, "Yeah, we have bigger goals, but if you one day want to lift the Stanley Cup you have to get into the playoffs first. We're not done."

With their playoff berth secured and their sights set on the division title, the New York Rangers are ready to battle it out on the ice, leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of hockey's ultimate prize.