Fans of the Yankees, the Mets, the Giants, the Jets, the Knicks and the Nets have not had much to celebrate the past few years. But there are winners in New York. You just have to look on the ice.
The Rangers (53-22-7) finished the regular season with the best record in the N.H.L., setting franchise records for wins and points this season. They open the playoffs Thursday at Madison Square Garden against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Islanders (47-28-7), who are moving from Uniondale on Long Island to Brooklyn next season, had their best record since 1983-84, holding first place in the Metropolitan Division for much of the season.