When it comes to the Battle of the Hudson, it goes beyond the regular season. The New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers have playoff history. In addition, there have been plenty of storylines and memories from those meetings. As a new chapter begins, lets take a look at the past Rangers, Devils playoff memories.
Looking Back At The Past Rangers Devils Playoff Memories As New Chapter Awaits
Now that the regular season is all wrapped up, the Devils and Rangers will meet in round one. These two are no strangers to playoff meetings. In fact, they have met six times throughout their history. They have met six times (1992, 1994, 1997, 2006, 2008, and 2012). New York has a 18-16 all-time record against the Devils. With that being said, the Devils and Rangers playoff memories come full swing. Let’s take a look back at some of the recent memories between these two teams.
The Guarantee
This is among the greatest in New York Rangers memory. Trailing 3-2 in the series, captain Mark Messier would make the headlines in the local papers. Messier publicly guaranteed that the Rangers would win game six and bring it back to Madison Square Garden for Game 7. His exact words were, “We know we have to win it. We can win it and we are going to win it,” he says confidently.
He delivered on that promise. On the brink of elimination and trailing 2-0 after two periods, Messier got to work. He would factor on the next four goals, while scoring three of his own. In addition, his one goal would see him send it down the length of the ice to cap off the victory.
The Rangers would cap off the series in overtime and then go on to win the Stanley Cup.
The Dagger By Graves
Ever since winning the Stanley Cup, the Devils carried that momentum into further regular season success. Despite missing the playoffs the year prior, the Devils earned the right for the top seed as well as the best in the East. The first of five straight 100-point seasons for the Devils. Their number one defence and number one penalty killing were lethal. However, the demise to their successful season was the New York Rangers.
At the old barn in East Rutherford, New Jersey the Rangers would move on. Winning four straight games, the dagger would be drawn by Rangers legend Adam Graves. On a wrap-around goal, Graves would beat Martin Brodeur to seal the victory and pull off the astounding upset.
Get The Brooms Out
The year is 2006. These two rivals have not met up in almost a decade. This may not seem like a memory, but in a sense it is. New Jersey has already been an established playoff contender for year’s, but this was the start of something for the New York Rangers. Jaromir Jagr had a whopping 123 points and 54 goals, and rookie Henrik Lundqvist would make his playoff debut.
This did not go as planned for the Rangers. Patrik Elias would go on to dominate the series. Elias would have six points in the first game and 11 in the series. This Devils and Rangers playoff memory is the new beginning.
Sean Avery’s Antics
This next Devils and Rangers playoff memory is interesting. Just two years ago these two clubs met, but this time it was the Rangers who got redemption. The story lines were buzzing from the previous meeting, and Scott Gomez made his return to New Jersey. After signing the mega deal with the Rangers, he got to play his former team.
New York won the series, but the story lies elsewhere. Sean Avery is a pest. He is a hard-nosed physical grinding forward that makes life difficult. However, his net-front presence is what got everyones attention. Avery made life horrible for Brodeur and it was so bad they changed a rule. Avery held his stick in the air waving it in front of the face of Brodeur. Brodeur could not see and grew frustrated. Immediately they changed the rule and is known as the Sean Avery rule.
Henrique, It’s Over
This is one of the best Devils and Rangers playoff memory. Look away if you are a Rangers fan. This was supposed to be the year. New York was the best team in the Eastern Conference and their 109-point season was their reward. They could score, defend, and had the fifth best penalty kill in the league. Everything was going their way and the only thing that robbed them of glory is the New Jersey Devils.
New York was on the brink of elimination and had to win Game 6. Both teams got two goals each and an exciting game was an exciting finish. Doc Emrick and his legendary goal call lives on forever. Off a front net scramble, Adam Henrique put the loose puck in the back of the net. New Jersey won the series and got to play for the Stanley Cup.
Main Photo: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
