Game 7 at the Garden. It’s not necessarily what the top-seeded Rangers were hoping for when their first-round Eastern Conference series against Ottawa started, but they’re thrilled about it now. Brad Richards scored the go-ahead goal and Derek Stepan had a goal and two assists as New York staved off elimination with a 3-2 victory against the Senators on Monday night. The series heads back to New York for Game 7 on Thursday night. It’s the first Game 7 in any sport at Madison Square Garden in 17 years. The last Game 7 at the Garden was in the NBA. The New York Knicks lost 97-95 to Reggie Miller and the Indiana Pacers in the 1995 Eastern Conference semifinals. The last time the Rangers hosted a Game 7 was 1994, when they beat Vancouver to win their first Stanley Cup in 54 years.

Wow. First game 7 in the Garden in 17 years. Place should be rocking. Even if you’re not a Rangers or Senators fan this might be must-see TV. I know New York fans don’t want to think about Reggie Miller vs. the Knicks so we’ll try and stay focused on hockey. How about Chris Kreider? Kid gets a baptism by fire, and scores his first NHL goal in a must-win playoff game. He’s going to be a good one. You better believe Friday morning we’re going to be talking about this one. Will the Rangers join the Canucks or will they move on?