The numerical damage from today's defeat can be tabulated in the National Hockey League standings, where the Rangers are barely clinging to a playoff berth.

The Rangers, on the other hand, are barely clinging to the seventh spot among the playoff teams in the Eastern Conference despite a strong stretch in recent weeks.

The Rangers are clinging to first place in the American League West, four games below .500 with a 23-27 record.

"The Rangers are clinging to a one-goal lead, but Atlanta now has a two-man advantage," the play-by-play man said, his voice rising above the Garden clamor.

Their hard-nosed play has helped the Rangers (12-7-3) cling to first place in the Atlantic Division for much of the first six weeks of this season.

The injuries come as the Rangers cling to hopes for a playoff berth.

The Rangers, humbled by Bergeron's public upbraiding and his private practice punishments, still cling to the belief they have it in them to rally for two final triumphs.

With injuries again a key factor, the Rangers slumped during the second half of the season and barely clung to third place.

The Rangers are clinging to flickering hopes for the last Eastern Conference berth in the playoffs, with 13 games left in the regular season.

The Rangers, losers of six of eight, clung to a half-game lead in the A.L. wild-card race when Milwaukee lost.