"Glen Sather did not attend last night's game here against the Flyers. The Post has learned that the GM was instead working on a preseason schedule for next year to include nine games in nine nights including a four-game series in China against the Islanders.

Not really, but Sather and the organization can be excused for chortling at those who suggested that the Rangers' busy preseason agenda that included a journey to Bern and Prague would undermine his team.

Indeed, it appears the trip provided the jumpstart for a regular-season getaway that reached 4-0-0 with last night's hairy 4-3 victory over the Flyers in which the Blueshirts New York Rangers struck for four straight scores within the opening 16:13 before hanging on for dear life throughout the third period.

"I think the trip to Switzerland and Prague was the best thing ever," said Steve Valiquette, resolute in net throughout a final period onslaught, and especially over the final 14:32 with the Flyers within a goal. "It gave us a chance to get together often, which didn't happen often enough last year.

"When 23 athletes get together, you have to have a certain cohesiveness of personalities in order to get along. It's a credit to management for understanding how to construct this team in which we're all pulling the same way.

"At times last year, we were pulling in different directions."

There were times last night when the Rangers, now 11-1-1 since the lockout in the Flyers' home rink, were going in different directions. But they prevailed, largely because they were able to kill a 1:33 two-man disadvantage late in the third following undisciplined penalties committed by Brandon Dubinsky and Scott Gomez.

"We cannot allow undisciplined play to creep into our game; it can't happen," coach Tom Renney said. "No one is exempt from mistakes or from my wrath, quite honestly." "