April 9, 2008
The Real Battle of the Hudson: Devils vs. Rangers
Photograph of Jaromir Jagr scoring against Martin Brodeur in a losing effort on Sunday by AP/Bill Kostroun
For the fifth time in their history the Rangers and Devils will meet in the playoffs. The Rangers won the first three meetings, with New Jersey winning the fourth, a clean-sweep in 2006. Neither team is likely to sweep the other this year as both teams are fairly evenly matched, especially defensively. The Rangers and Devils allowed the fewest goals in the Eastern Conference and Martin Brodeur and Henrik Lundqvist finished 5th and 6th respectively in the league in goals against average.
At first glance, the Rangers’ 7-0-1 record in the season series this year would appear to give them the advantage, but five of those games were decided by only one goal (three in shootouts) and the remaining three by two goals. Breaking it down, the series will probably turn on the ability of the third and fourth lines to create scoring chances against the top lines of the other team.
Expect a long and hard-fought series with close games and tempers flaring. If you haven’t watched hockey before, give this series a chance, you might like what you see, especially if you are a Devils fan because Gothamist thinks the home cooking brings them a seven-game series win.
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You must be on drugs for picking the Devils over the Rangers.
seriously, even with home advantage, the devils are not gonna be able to go the distance.
Devils don't have 'home advantage' - we will beat them there AGAIN.
Um. Being on drugs would not make someone pick Martin Brodeur (probably one of the best ever) over Lundqvist. Martin is a proven playoff winner. Lundqvist is not. This will be a tight fun series to watch, but I don't think the Rangers will be able to overcome their Devils.
The "Hank is not a proven playoff winner" argument people use is so bogus/grasping at straws it hurts. Remember the winter olympics when he, you know, carried his team to the gold medal?
On the flip side, Marty has only been able to beat the Rangers once in the playoffs, when they were playing with a one-shouldered Jagr and an injured goalie.
Playoff wins since 1997:
Rangers 5 wins
Devils 65 wins
who's better in the payoffs Boho?
nator,
Rangers versus Devils this season: 7 wins.
Devils versus Rangers this season: 1 win and in a coin flip shootout at that.
Also, fans since 1997:
Rangers: countless
Devils: ten? fifteen?
Stanley Cups since 1997?
Rangers: 0
Devils: 3
Tonight's score?
Rangers 4
Devils 1
Touche! bxbrian
One night does not make a playoff series, but if both teams play with the ferocity they showed last night, it will be extremely fun to watch no matter who wins it!