Rangers' Lineup Plans For Red Wings Game Could Be Bad News For Bruins

It doesn’t sound like the Boston Bruins are going to get much help from the New York Rangers on Saturday.

The Bruins, Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers all are jockeying for the Eastern Conference’s two remaining playoff spots. Detroit and Boston play their final games of the season Saturday, while Philadelphia plays Saturday and Sunday.

For the Bruins to clinch the third spot in the Atlantic Division, they would need a win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday paired with a Red Wings loss or shootout win. The bad news for the Bruins, however, is the Rangers — who already have a playoff spot clinched — plan on resting players Saturday. Some think the Blueshirts actually would benefit in terms of seeding and matchups should they lose to Detroit on Saturday.

Key Rangers players like Mats Zuccarello, Ryan McDonagh, Viktor Stalberg and Dan Giardi all will sit for New York on Saturday. Additionally, backup goalie Antti Raanta will start in net with Henrik Lundqvist getting the day off.

So Raanta in goal vs. Red Wings; Zucc/Stalberg/McDonagh/Girardi all out; Lindberg back in; call up F from @WolfPackAHL (likely HrIvik)

— Jim Cerny (@JimCerny) April 8, 2016

AV states that @ARaanta31 starts in goal for the #NYR vs. Red Wings tomorrow @TheGarden

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) April 8, 2016

The Bruins also can clinch a playoff berth with an overtime or shootout loss paired with a Red Wings overtime or shootout win or loss and the Flyers earning two or fewer points in their two games.

It’s complicated, but basically, the Rangers aren’t doing the Bruins any favors.