NEW YORK - As the teams shook hands after the series, Sabres’ coach Lindy Ruff told the Rangers, “They scared the hell out of him.”

That was no consolation, though.

Unlike Game 5 - when Buffalo tied the Game with 7.7 seconds remaining - the Blueshirts were unable to convert on their last minute 6-on-5, and that ultimately ended their season with a 5-4 loss in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

“It is tough to realize the season is over,” said Henrik Lundqvist. We had a good team. We had a good chance, but we faced a really good team.”

Yes, Buffalo is really good, and may ultimately win the Stanley Cup. But the Rangers played them toe to toe. With five of the six games decided by one goal, the Blueshirts found no consolation beaten by a team that won the President’s Trophy this season.

“It is disappointing,” said Matt Cullen. “We felt we had as good of a chance as anyone to reach the finals. You have to give [the Sabres] credit. They were outstanding, but it is tough.”

It‘s hard because the Blueshirts had their chance. When Michael Nylander scored with 2:51 remaining on the power play, the Rangers had hope as they were within the one goal. Buffalo held on though and cleared, but didn’t ice the puck as the Rangers attacked Ryan Miller in net in the final seconds.

Miller, with 32 saves on the night, was up to the task. He fended off any Ranger hopes of tying the game, which sent Buffalo onto a date with Ottawa.

Yet, the match wasn’t lost then. That came in the second period as the Sabres put a four-spot on the board using their north-south game to their advantage. With the Rangers up 1-0 after one, Buffalo attacked the net and had a few fortunate deflections. Goals by Dmitri Kalinin, Jason Pominville, Jochen Hecht, and Chris Drury put the Rangers on their heals trying to keep up with their speedy opponent.

“They are a team, probably more than any team in the league, that rides momentum,” said Cullen. “Ones they get one they all get going. That was the same story in every game we lost. It’s tough to come back against a team like that.”

The Rangers did try. With the score 3-1, Paul Mara put one in from the point on the power play, 4:40 into the second. Then Jagr made it 4-3 with a little less than 15 minutes left in the second.

However, Hecht was able to put the game winner on the board past Lundqvist, who had 24 saves, with a little more than five minutes left on a 3-on-2 rush.

“Odd-man rushes,” Jagr said. “We said that all series long. We just can't give it to them. We didn't lose it; we just gave it to them. They are a great team but they aren't better.”

So as the Rangers pack up for another summer, they can think of what could have been.

“I don't think we really lost this series tonight,” said Shanahan, who now has a decision whether to return to the Rangers or possibly retire. “I think we had a couple opportunities to bury them earlier in the series and we let them get wins. I thought we should've had Game 2 and obviously, Game 5.

“We could've and maybe should've won the series. That's going to give you some bad dreams the next couple of weeks.”

Notes: Tom Renney dressed Nigel Dawes in favor of Brad Isbister and played him on the second line. Marty Straka moved to the top line with Jagr and Nylander, with Marcel Hossa dropping down to the fourth line…Besides Shanahan, Nylander is also a free agent, but the Rangers have expressed an interest in keeping him. Kevin Weekes’ contract is up as well, and isn’t expected to be back…This is the Rangers first loss at the Garden since Mar. 13, when they dropped a 3-2 decision against Ottawa.