Two whistles, and the Rangers were facing a crisis.

Now the Rangers face their rather odd continuing saga of the rotating coaches.

If the regular season ended yesterday, however, the Rangers and the Sabres would face each other in the first round.

With the Rangers trailing the series three games to two and facing elimination, it looked as though the curse was at work again.

This was no rundown Detroit team the Rangers were facing.

Instead, the Rangers face elimination by an unheralded team that they defeated in all six regular-season meetings.

For the second consecutive night, the Rangers faced a team without its best players.

And if the Rangers face opponents above .500, they very seldom beat them.

The Rangers will face the Devils, who won the division with their 11th consecutive victory, in the first round.

In their final 22 games, the Rangers will face Florida five times.