NEW YORK -- After winning their final regular-season game to keep alive their playoff chances Sunday night, the Rangers watched on television as the New Jersey Devils won in overtime to eliminate New York from post-season play for the first time under the present format.
'First of all, I congratulate Lou Lamoriello and Jim Schoenfeld on a great job,' Rangers General Manager Phil Esposito said. 'But, since January 21, we have been the third best overall team in the NHL. We are 31 points ahead of one of the teams in the playoffs (Toronto).
'I feel sorry for our fans and our ownership. This is a heck of a hockey team, and it would've done well in the playoffs. The present playoff format stinks, and I am going to move heaven and earth to get it changed.'
Kelly Kisio set up third-period goals by John Ogrodnick and Mark Hardy, and John Vanbiesbrouck stopped 20 shots, giving New York a 3-0 triumph over the Quebec Nordiques.
The Devils, however, defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3, eliminating the Rangers from the playoffs for the first time since the 1976-77 season.
Vanbiesbrouck put the Rangers' season in proper perspective.
'This is a good hockey team, and what cost us was out up-and-down early season start,' he said. 'It turns out we fell too far behind.'
The victory gave the Rangers a 36-34-10 record and 82 points, tied with the Devils, who earned their first playoff berth in team history by virtue of more victories.
'We did what we had to do in beating Quebec,' said defenseman James Patrick, who was voted team MVP by writers before the game. 'It's a tough feeling when there's nothing you can do about something somewhere else.'
Kisio passed out from behind the net to Ogrodnick, whose 10-foot shot at 2:22 broke a scoreless tie. Kisio then carried into the Quebec zone and left a drop pass for Hardy, whose 45-footer beat goaltender Mario Gosselin at 6:56.
Don Maloney capped the scoring at 16:40 with his 12th goal of the season.
'Well, I played for (Rangers Coach) Michel Bergeron three seasons (at Quebec), but I tried my best to beat him tonight,' Nordiques goaltender Mario Gosselin said. 'All three goals I couldn't do anything about.'
The Rangers watched the Devils game in their lounge along with the media.
When John MacLean scored the tying goal, there were loud groans. When referee Kelly Fraser called a penalty on Chicago in the final minute of regulation, there were cries of anguish punctuated by curses.
When MacLean scored the winner, a pall fell over the room. The players slowly left their chairs and returned to the lockerroom. Esposito and Bergeron quietly entered the room and shook all the players' hands, wishing them well for the summer.
