The New York Rangers lose to the Montreal Canadiens, 3-1

Last night, the Rangers dropped further out of the playoff picture by losing to the Canadiens, 3-1, at Madison Square Garden. With 12 games remaining, the Rangers are in 9th place, just a few points behind the Boston Bruins, who occupy the 8th and final playoff spot, but several teams are close behind. Photos by Avi Gerver, ©Madison Square Garden, Inc.

New York’s Sean Avery jumps over the stick of Montreal’s Jaroslav Spacek:

Sean Avery fires a puck past Roman Hamrlik of the Canadiens:

Brandon Prust of the Rangers puts a hit on Montreal’s Maxim Lapierre as he knocks Michael Del Zotto to the ice:

New York’s Vinny Prospal breaks his stick as he fires a slapshot:

Scott Gomez of the Canadiens collides with former teammate Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist as Olli Jokinen tries to kick the puck away:

The Rangers’ Brandon Dubinsky and and Canadiens’ Roman Hamrlik battle for the puck:

Sean Avery and former teammate Scott Gomez:

Montreal’s Benoit Pouliot and New York’s Ryan Callahan: