The Rangers took care of business with a playoff-clinching finishing kick of 10-3-1 that culminated with Saturday’s 4-0 Garden victory over the uninterested Devils in the season finale.
Now, the next order of business will be Washington and Alex Ovechkin in the playoffs for the third straight season and fourth time in coach John Tortorella’s five years behind the New York bench — did someone say, a real rivalry? — after the Blueshirts secured sixth-place spot after the Senators loss to the Flyers last night.
The series will begin in DC on Tuesday or Wednesday.
“We wanted to get up to sixth,” said Brad Richards, who continued his [very] late-season revival with a pair of assists that sends him into the post-season with 11 points (5-6) in his last five games. “You never know what happens if you go deep in the playoffs.
“If you start off in sixth you could get home ice depending on what else happens. You never know, but you want to keep plugging away and move up and work on your game.”
The Rangers’ victory that ended hours before the Senators’ defeat had tangible and intangible rewards. It both guaranteed the Blueshirts would avoid the top-seeded Penguins in the first round while allowing the team go enter the tournament on a high note that it can use as a springboard.
“I think we’re where we need to be,” Dan Girardi said. “Ever since we made those changes at the deadline, something has clicked.
“There’s been more energy, and I think we’ve regained our identity of being a tough team to play against,” the alternate captain said, alluding to the acquisitions of Ryane Clowe, Derick Brassard and John Moore and the signing of Mats Zuccarello.
“I’m happy with where we are. I think we feel confident as a group.”
While the measure of importance the Blueshirts placed on winning the match was reflected by the decision to give Henrik Lundqvist his 14th straight start and 23rd in the last 24 games, the Devils went with Johan Hedberg in net rather than Martin Brodeur.
Lundqvist’s game was spotless at one end. Ryan Callahan, whose overtime goal Thursday in Carolina clinched a playoff spot for his team, was indomitable at the other, setting up Derek Stepan with a nifty feed for the first goal at 2:37 of the first before scoring on a shorthanded breakaway to make it 2-0 at 19:01.
“I think Hank has been the leader of it and Cally has been unbelievable,” said Rick Nash, who scored twice in the third period to finish with a club-high 21 goals. “Everyone has followed the two leaders.”
The Rangers became a full complement following the flurry of moves in which only Marian Gaborik was subtracted from the roster, but the club likely will open the tournament without Clowe, who missed yesterday’s match after being helped off the ice with an undisclosed injury on Thursday, and Brian Boyle, who missed the last six games with a knee injury.
Thus, depth could be a significant issue for a coach who is inclined to shorten his bench sooner rather than later even under the best of circumstances.
“I’m concerned with the lineup a little bit, with the injuries we have right now,” said Tortorella, whose team has also operated without Marc Staal (eye) for the last 27 games. “I hope some guys get healthy.”
The Rangers’ final seven games were played against teams that failed to make the playoffs. Nevertheless, the Blueshirts pounded to the finish line with impressive resolve.
“The new guys changed the dynamic in here,” Lundqvist said. “If we want to go all the way we have to play our absolute best here, but the exciting part is that we have all the tools and have a good enough team to do it. “We’re ready for what’s ahead.”
That means Ovechkin and Washington. Again.
larry.brooks@nypost.com