 Two games prior, on April 4, the Rangers defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 3–2 in a shootout to clinch a playoff spot for the first time since 1996–97.On April 18, the Rangers lost to the Ottawa Senators 5–1, and, due to wins by Division rivals New Jersey and Philadelphia, the Rangers fell back to third place in the Atlantic and sixth in the Eastern Conference to end the season.In the Eastern Conference Quarter-finals, the Rangers drew a matchup with the Devils and were defeated in a four-game sweep.