The battle lines have been drawn. A rematch nine years in the making is set to take place starting Saturday afternoon between two bitter rivals separated by one point in the standings this season. Back in the playoffs for the first time since upsetting the Devils in the '97 Eastern Conference semifinals, the Rangers will attempt to go four-for-four against the Devils in The Battle of The Hudson.
Haunting memories of the past for Martin Brodeur who lost to them in two of those three series in heartbreaking fashion. Patrik Elias and Jay Pandolfo also were around for the loss nine years ago. Along with Sergei Brylin, that's all that remains from either of those teams.
Fresh off their eleven game win streak to take a sixth Atlantic Division crown in nine seasons to earn home ice, the Devils will look to reverse history and take their first step forward to a fourth Stanley Cup.
Series History: Devils are 0-3 against the Rangers in best-of-seven series
Year Round Result
'92 Patrick Semis lost to NYR in 7
'94 Conf. Finals lost to NYR in 7
'97 Conf. Semis lost to NYR in 5
Season Series: Each team won four games and earned 10 points in the first competitive match-up since '96-97. Brian Gionta led the Devils with eight points (7-1-8). Brian Rafalski was 1-6-7 and Scott Gomez had five points (3-2-5).
History Made: The Devils made history by coming from 19 points down to win the division. The largest margin overcome since the conferences split up during the '74-75 Expansion. The previous record was held by Detroit in '93-94 when they cameback from 18 points to win the Central Division. Their 11-game win streak was the longest to ever conclude an NHL season, breaking the old mark of nine shared by the 1954-55 Red Wings and 1986-87 Canadiens.
TEAM OVERVIEW
Forwards: Brian Gionta led the Devils in scoring with 48 goals and 89 points. He enters this postseason on a tear with a 15-game point streak (12-13-25). He broke Pat Verbeek's '87-88 team record of 46 goals by scoring twice in a comeback win at Montreal in the season finale. Half those goals came on the power play. He's been Mr. Clutch all season, ranking second in the NHL with 10 game winners. Despite his small 5-7 175 frame, he makes up for it by going to the net and scoring garbage goals.
Gionta's linemate Scott Gomez also comes in red hot, totaling 15 points (6-9-15) in his last seven games. Playing the best hockey of his career, Gomez established new highs in goals (33) and points (84) while pacing the team with 51 assists.
They'll be flanked by rookie Zach Parise. After a slow start, Parise (14-18-32) has played well down the stretch since being moved up to the top line and shouldn't be taken lightly.
The biggest difference with the Devils offense down the stretch was the development of two scoring lines. After missing half the season with Hepatitis A, Patrik Elias has returned with a vengeance. Down the stretch on a line with Sergei Brylin and Jamie Langenbrunner, Elias (16-29-45 in 38 GP) displayed his old form by amassing 17 points the last nine games. He has teamed up with Langenbrunner to form a solid duo which can strike quickly. After playing most of the season on the checking line, Langenbrunner (19-34-53) had eight points (3-5-8) in the final nine games. All three of his goals came in the last four.
The checking unit of Jay Pandolfo, John Madden and Grant Marshall has played well in both ends and chipped in. They'll be matched up against the Rangers' top line of Martin Straka, Michael Nylander and Jaromir Jagr. Used as a shadow on Jagr the last two meetings (both wins), Pandolfo held the league's second leading scorer to an assist. His primary role will be to shutdown Jagr.
The Devils will send out a grind line of Jason Wiemer, Erik Rasmussen and enforcer Cam Janssen to seek and destroy. They won't play a ton. So they must remain disciplined.
Defense: After struggling in the first half, the Devils D has returned to form. During the 11-game win streak, they allowed just 22 goals, holding opponents to two goals-or-less in eight games. Brian Rafalski led all New Jersey defensemen with 49 points (27 power play). Second-year blueliner Paul Martin chipped in with 37 points (5-32-37). Most of them also came via the power play (20). Outside of Rafalski and Martin, not much offense should be expected.
Rafalski paired with Richard Matvichuk and Brad Lukowich most of the second half. Matvichuk might be the most underrated defenseman on the team. A Cup winner with the '99 Stars, he adjusted well to the Devils' system and has brought a reliable veteran presence. However, he missed 18 of the final 23 games due to a back injury. If he cannot go, Lukowich will pair with Rafalski. Also a member of the '99 Stars and '04 Cup champion Lightning, he was acquired at the deadline as insurance. After a slow beginning, he has played solidly in both ends, even contributing five assists the last two games all at even strength.
Martin should team with Colin White if his groin is 100 percent for Game One. A physical presence, White saw time on Jagr the last two meetings. If the Devils are to have success containing Jagr, White must be healthy and not take any unnecessary penalties.
The bottom pairing could consist of a mix of Matvichuk, Ken Klee, rookie David Hale and Tommy Albelin. After a rocky start, Klee was steadier the last few games. Still, he might be the weak link because he can be beat outside and is prone to lazy penalties. Hale showed tremendous poise and deserves to crack the lineup. Albelin is a serviceable vet who has been used sparingly. If Matvichuk is healthy, look for Matvichuk to team with Klee. If anything goes wrong, the Devils shouldn't hesitate to get Hale his first playoff experience.
Goalie: There is only one established goalie entering the playoffs in the East. With Ottawa's Dominik Hasek uncertain due to a bad groin, Martin Brodeur is by far the most experienced netminder. A three-time Cup winner already, he knows what it takes to win it all and has a lot to prove against a team he's never beaten in the postseason. A couple of weeks ago, he was quoted by FSNY's Chico Resch as saying "he wanted the Rangers." Now he has his chance to silence that talk that he can't beat them when it counts.
After a slow start due in large part to rust and a bad knee, Brodeur rounded into form, matching his career high in wins (43) and played great during the 11-game run. Without Scott Stevens and Scott Niedermayer, he proved he could adjust and still be a dominant goalie. He can never be doubted in a pressure situation. Having started 73 games including 43 of the last 44, the only question is will he wear down like two years ago in a first round loss to the Flyers? That remains to be seen. The Devils will only go as far as he'll take them.
Special Teams: The Devils ranked 18th on the power play converting 17.8 percent. They were a respectable 10th at home (20.4 pct) compared to only 22nd (15.1 pct) on the road. The PP has been clicking better going nine for their last 35 (25.7 pct). That must continue.
The Devils ranked 16th in penalty killing (81.9 percent). The league's fewest penalized team must prevent the Rangers seventh ranked power play (18.9 pct) from exploding.
Coaching: Is there anything Team President and GM Lou Lamoriello can't do? With the team in freefall last December due to Larry Robinson's resignation (stress related), Lamoriello stepped behind the bench and did a masterful job along with assistants John MacLean, Jacques Laperriere and Jacques Caron. After taking over, he guided them to a 31-14-4 record including 29-9-4 in 2006. Clearly, his presence has had a positive impact. The staff has done an excellent job preparing the team for games. Against their archrival, it should be no different.
Intangibles: Given how well the Devils are playing compared to the skidding Rangers who have lost five straight, they should have a mental edge entering this series. They also have more experience.
Keys to a Devils victory:
-Contain Jagr
-Get an early lead
-Attack mistake-prone Ranger D
-Stay disciplined
-Brodeur, Elias, Gionta and Gomez must be best players
Things that should concern Devils:
-They have gotten every bounce during their impressive streak
-The Rangers are a wounded animal and should be desperate in Game One
-Don't underestimate Jagr's linemates Nylander or Straka
-Pay close attention to Petr Prucha
-If Henrik Lundqvist is healthy, watch out
Prediction: The Devils are on a roll and have excellent chemistry while the Rangers are slumping at the wrong time.
Devils in five
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