NHL

Rangers focused on making playoffs without Callahan

Ryan Callahan is out for the foreseeable future. It’s unfortunate, but it’s done. The Rangers can do nothing about it.

Still, it doesn’t change what they do control, which is the chance to make their fifth playoff appearance in six years. That will be nearly secured with a win against the Thrashers in their penultimate game of the regular season tonight at the Garden.

“I have all the confidence in the world that we can continue this run and continue it in the playoffs,” said Callahan, walking on crutches and wearing a boot for his fractured right ankle, after yesterday’s practice.

PLAYOFF RACE

“This team has battled through injuries all year and has responded in the correct way, and I don’t think that’s going to change with me in or out of the lineup,” he said.

“To sit out at this time, it’s tough for me, but at the same time, I’m gonna try and stick around the room and stay positive and do what I can to help the guys.”

Said Henrik Lundqvist, “We just try to move on. We all know he’s a big part of this team. There’s no denying that, but we have to try and stay positive.”

Though there is no timetable for Callahan’s return, the 26-year old winger said he will not need surgery. That has given him hope.

“It’s the best-case scenario of a bad situation,” said Callahan, who broke the ankle blocking a Zdeno Chara slap shot in the Rangers’ stirring 5-3 win over Boston on Monday. “Hopefully we can keep winning and I’ll be able to get back in there and help these guys in the playoffs.”

For his return, a deep run would be required, but first they must nail down a playoff spot. Holding on to the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference, the Rangers have 91 points, one behind Buffalo, two behind Montreal and two ahead of ninth-place Carolina, a 3-0 winner over the Red Wings last night.

The Hurricanes play at Atlanta tomorrow before closing at home against Tampa Bay.

The Rangers play their season finale at home on Saturday against the Devils. The Rangers are 5-0-1 in their past six home games, but are 1-2 against Atlanta this season.

Without Callahan, the Rangers face several questions, one being how Matt Gilroy, who’s been a healthy scratch the past six games, will acclimate to right wing.

Despite not playing forward regularly since his sophomore year at Boston University, the second-year defenseman will play on the fourth line with Erik Christensen and Sean Avery tonight. No one in the locker room thinks the conversion changes too much.

“Out of all our defensemen, he’s probably the one most suited to play forward, with his skating ability,” Christensen said. “He thinks like a forward and he’s offensive-minded. We just gotta keep it simple, and me and Sean will try and communicate with him as much as possible. We’ll be fine.”

“It’s a pretty exciting situation we’re in right now and it’s nice to be a part of it,” Gilroy said. “It’s just playing hockey. I’ll talk to [Avery and Christensen] a little bit, ask a few questions and I should be fine. Hopefully, it’ll be a pretty smooth transition.”

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Chris Drury, who has been out since Feb. 3 following knee surgery, practiced with the team wearing an orange non-contact jersey. It is unclear when he will make his return.

howard.kussoy@nypost.com