Rangers vs Devils: The Battle on the Hudson! By Hank Indictor

I have to admit, I didn't initially want a first-round matchup with the Devils. Not so much because I feared them and felt that Carolina was a better matchup, but let's put it this way: If you're playing a rivalry that's such a short distance, how do you feel when you lose to them and then you never hear the end of it until the offseason from those insufferable members of said fanbase -- whether they are your family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, etc.? Not to mention I’ve been on record saying the Devils are my most hated team out of what I consider to be the trinity of evil, which they are! (ok maybe a quartet if we want to include the Penguins, but not the point!)

But you know what? I think I’m gonna look at this on the other side because now that I think about it I’m pumped up for this series, is there a chance something could go wrong? Of course there is, I’m a lifelong Rangers fan who is used to disappointment. But if we beat them, well then not only do we get to rub it in the faces of those Jersey bastards but the big picture means on to the next round and the Cup dream is alive. Of course, I’m getting ahead of myself after all Gerard Gallant said himself, “One Game at a Time!” And of course, there is still a series to be played.

Let’s be honest there's a reason that the Devils are where they are and that many Rangers fans such as myself see them as a legitimate threat. And one of those reasons is that like the Rangers they have a good offensive flow and that system starts with Jack Hughes who has emerged into a legitimate superstar with 43 goals and assists giving him a total of 99 points. To say that he is one guy that the Rangers must watch out for would be the understatement of the year.

There are, however, other solid forwards to look out for as well such as deadline acquisition Timo Meier, Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer. Ondrej Palat also provides some veteran experience to this group as he was a clutch playoff performer during his time in Tampa. Defensively they have a solid unit as well consisting of John Marino, Dougie Hamilton, Ryan Graves, Damon Severson, Jonas Siegenthaler, former Ranger Brendan Smith, and added into the mix as a possible seventh defenseman is Jack’s younger brother, Luke Hughes.

In a season where the Devils were coming off finishing second-to-last in the Metropolitan Division, this young core nearly doubled their win total from the previous season and finished only 1 point behind division winner Carolina. However, let's remember that the Rangers have a good unit of their own. After all, how can you not like your chances with a top-6 that features Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane? Oh yeah, and the kids (Filip Chytil, Alexis Lafreniere and Kappo Kakko) are alright too! Oh, and defensively I also like my chances with a healthy Ryan Lindgren, Adam Fox, Jacob Trouba and Niko Mikkola (who might've been the most underrated trade acquisition thanks Drury!) to name a few.

I’ve pointed out numerous times how deep this current Rangers team is, but here's where in my honest and unbiased opinion I would give the Rangers the edge. Not only have they improved defensively in the latter half of the season, but let's look at the goalie matchup. Sure, Vitek Vanecek was a solid pickup for the Devils but would you take him over Igor Shesterkin in a best-of-7 series? Especially when you look at how these two goalies played during the home stretch this season and based on what Shesterkin has already accomplished. Yeah, you know damn well I believe in Shesterkin and ultimately that's what these playoff games are likely going to come down to a strong goalie. But there's something else I haven’t touched on.

Most of this current Devils squad is young and will experience their first playoff run, now of course this can be seen as both an advantage and a disadvantage, but contrast that to the Rangers who have a lot of players that got that taste of almost making it to the Cup Finals just one year ago and in addition they have also added superstars who have Stanley Cups into the mix. Let’s not pretend that this doesn't matter here! Regardless, it should be a fun series even if yours truly will be feeling, anxiety, nausea, you name it.

One of the biggest reasons why a series win would mean so much to me is because growing up the Devils were a team that was almost always in the mix. And even though I missed out on some classic battles such as 1992, and especially the epic 1994 Eastern Conference Finals (Matteau! Matteau! Matteau!), I'm certainly no stranger to some great moments of that rivalry. I may have missed out on seeing all three Devils Cup wins (probably for the best), but even afterward, they were often in the mix even as they moved out of that dump across the Meadowlands into shiny new Midential Center in lovely downtown Newark.

And having grown up watching many intense games between the Rangers and the Devils, how could I not learn to despise that trash from Dirty Jersey? After all, one of my favorite memories was in 2008, seeing Sean Avery (one of my OG favorites) screen the hell out of Martin Brodeur (curse you Uncle Daddy!) and then during the handshake line when the Rangers dominated that series, well I guess the Fatso forgot to shake his hand!

Unfortunately, I also remember the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals where two images still give me nightmares: the insane Scorpion Save where Brodeur robbed Marian Gaborik while lying on his stomach (again, damn you Uncle Daddy!) and the Adam Henrique goal. Man would I love to avenge that series!

One thing that's certain is that regardless of who comes out on top of this series, it will be action-packed and filled with some new memorable moments. But, hopefully, it is seen as the first big mountain to climb, Let’s Go Rangers!!