Rangers score 3 in 1st, down Maple Leafs 5-1

Erik Christensen scored two of New York's three first-period goals as the Rangers gave their tenuous playoff hopes a big boost with a 5-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday.

Christensen gave New York the lead 21 seconds in, then combined with Vinny Prospal for goals 30 seconds apart that quickly put away the game.

Although the Rangers wouldn't have been eliminated with a loss to Toronto, their realistic prospects for the playoffs would have been all but dashed. But wins in their final two games would get them into the playoffs for the fifth straight season.

Olli Jokinen and Aaron Voros also scored and Henrik Lundqvist made 26 saves …