Rangers defeat Flyers, face Buffalo, possible future lineup changes, Chara

The Rangers kept the faint playoff heartbeat alive Friday, defeating the Flyers 4-1. With eight games remaining - two each against the Sabres, Islanders, Capitals and Bruins - the Blueshirts may need to run the table and get some help. New York sits six points behind Boston, who has two games in hand and faces the Penguins at 3pm on Sunday. A Bruins' win in the contest that takes place before the Rangers face the Sabres, who are 4-3-1 in their eight and beat the Bruins on Friday after two straight losses to them, at 6pm could likely signal the death knell. A Boston loss and New York and those two games to end the season could still be critical.