'Trailing by a goal despite a strong opening period, the Sabres pounced on New York miscues to build the formulaic two-goal cushion that has seen them win all forty-six times this season, when holding such a lead at any point in a contest. In the process, the reeling Rangers' attempts to stir their 18,200 anxious fans with a late rally of their own in the third session fell short, sending the President Trophy-winning Sabres into the fourth Conference Final of coach Lindy Ruff's nine-year reign in Buffalo, facing divisional nemesis Ottawa for the right to go to the Stanley Cup Final.'