New Jersey Devils Vs. New York Rangers: A Playoffs History
New Jersey Devils fans have had plenty to be excited about throughout the 2022-23 season. The “renewal” of the Hudson River Rivalry is one of the best developments of the season. Across the existence of the National Hockey League, the Rangers lead the matchup’s history (regular season + postseason) with a record of 127-106-21-11 throughout a grand total of 265 meetings.
Right now, it looks like the Devils and Rangers will face off once again in the playoffs. This is going to be an amazing matchup.
The best way forward is to take a trip back. Let’s take a look at the previous six series one by one.
1991-1992 Playoffs 1st Round: Rangers Win Series 4-3
The first playoff battle between the two rivals occurred in 1992 with the Rangers being the one seed and the Devils being the four seed in the Patrick Division.
Back then, the winner of the Patrick Division and the Adams Division would compete in the ‘Prince of Wales Conference Finals for a birth to the Stanley Cup Final.
Anyway, the first-ever postseason matchup between these two teams certainly lived up to the hype. After New Jersey took a 2-1 series lead, the Rangers would fire back with two consecutive wins, outscoring the Devils 11-5 in Games 4 and 5.
In Game 6, The Devils did respond with a 5-3 win at Brendan Byrne Arena thanks to a two-goal night from Peter Stastny and three points from Claude Lemieux. However, when the series would return to Madison Square Garden for a Game 7, it would be the Rangers advancing to the Patrick Division Final with their second eight-goal performance in just 3 games. In the rout, Adam Graves tallied four points (two goals and two assists) while James Patrick collected three apples as well.
While the series was well earned, the good feelings would not last long as the ‘Blue Shirts’ would fall to the eventual Stanley Cup Champions in the Pittsburg Penguins in Round 2 (4-2).
Series Standout:
Mark Messier definitely earns the series MVP in this one. In his first playoff series as captain of the Rangers, Messier racked up 11 points in the final six games of the series including a remarkable two shorthanded goals as well.
Series Sufferer:
The Devils offense (aside from Game 4) was never their Achilles heel during this series. What really resulted in their downfall was the struggle experienced by 27-year-old goaltender Chris Terreri. Terreri had a save percentage of .887 and allowed 15 goals during the last three games of the round. We even saw Terreri get pulled in the 3rd period of Game 5 for 19-year-old backup Martin Brodeur. I wonder if he turned into anything.
1993-1994 Eastern Conference Finals: Rangers Win Series 4-3
Devils fans, look away.
For many Devils and Rangers fans who have loved their teams for a long time, the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals could be argued as one of the most memorable playoff meetings between the two teams. It’s worth noting that the Rangers were 6-0-0 against the Devils in the regular season. They had simply dominated and were mega favorites going into this Eastern Conference decider.
The President Trophy winner New York Rangers came in as the 1 seed losing just one total game across the first two rounds while the Devils were the 3 seed and had already faced a 1st round Game 7 against Buffalo and a 2-0 series deficit to the Boston Bruins.
After the first four games of the series, we had an even split of 2-2. The Devils were victorious in Games 1 and 4, while the Rangers racked off wins in Games 2 and 3. Additionally, both teams had double OT wins to that point with New Jersey getting an extra-time winner from Stephane Richer and the Rangers obtaining one from, and get used to this, Stephane Matteau.
After a Game 5 win for the Red and Black, the Devils had a chance to wrap up the series with Game 6 taking place at Brendan Byrne Arena. Then, Messier made “The Guarantee.” New Jersey would have a 2-0 lead with less than two minutes remaining in the 2nd period, but four straight Rangers goals including three in the 3rd Period from Messier would give the Rangers new life.
With the all important Game 7 set to go at MSG, the Rangers would hold a 1-0 lead until eight seconds left in the game, where Valeri Zelepukin would force OT to be the deciding factor. While we would end up needing two overtimes to decide who would advance to the cup final, Rangers fans will always remember how the aforementioned Stephane Matteau etched his name in hockey history, sending New York to the final dance.
They would go on to hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup.
Series Standout:
It would be pretty cruel if Matteau didn’t win Series Standout here. Not only were his three series goals second on the team but two of those goals ended up being OT winners, which made up for half of the team’s wins that series.
Series Sufferer:
For Devils fans, it’s tough to imagine what could’ve been if Scott Stevens had produced better during that series for New Jersey. After a 78-point regular season, Stevens only logged one point (on an assist) and had a +/- of -3, along with 16 penalty minutes.
1996-97 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals: Rangers Win Series 4-1
In 1997, many thought that this could finally be the Devils’ season to take down the Rangers. They were three points shy of the Presidents’ Trophy and had earned the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Despite having the better record, New Jersey hadn’t won again against their Hudson River Rival that season until March 27th and were 0-2-0-2 prior to that night.
After a 4-1 series win against Montreal with New York also winning Round 1 in 5 games against the Florida Panthers, it was time for the Devils to finally overcome the one thing it hadn’t. It was time to beat the Rangers.
Or not. This series ended up not being very competitive. While the Devils would lead 1-0 after a 2-0 Game 1 win, the Rangers would run the table across the next four games, outscoring New Jersey 10-3 in the process.
The Devils would be shutout in Games 2 and 4, and the Rangers would put the icing on the cake in Game 5 after an Adam Graves OT winner.
Series Standout:
Mike Richter was nothing short of sensational during this series. Never allowing more than 2 goals in a game, the 30-year-old had a save percentage of .978 throughout the five games and collected two shutouts as well. The Devils outshout the Rangers 183-128 over the whole series. Did not matter. Richter did everything he needed to do and then some.
Series Sufferer:
The Devils offense collectively takes the ‘Series Sufferer’ title here. New Jersey only scored five goals in the entire series and just three in the final four games. Sure, Richter deserves a ton of credit for that, but if you’re the #1 team in the East, you’re expected to do a little bit better than that.
2005-06 Eastern Conference 1st Round: Devils Win Series 4-0
In 2006, the Atlantic Division champion New Jersey Devils had finished the regular season with 101 points and were seeking out their 4th Stanley Cup in under 15 seasons. After splitting the eight-game series during the regular season, the Devils hoped they could gain an advantage over New York City’s team during postseason play. Luckily for them, it would become arguably the most stress-free playoff series in Devils history.
The Devils outscored the Rangers 17-4 in a four-game sweep propelled by a stellar display from goaltender Martin Brodeur. 33-year-old ‘Marty’ posted a save percentage of .965 which included a Game 1 shutout. Brian Gionta registered two of the series’ game-winning goals while Jamie Langenbrunner secured eight points (2 goals, 6 assists).
As for New York, a young goaltender by the name of Henrik Lundqvist experienced some growing pains, allowing 13 goals on 79 shots across 3 games. Another familiar face who goes by the name Kevin Weekes started a game that series (Game 2) where he allowed four pucks to hit the back of the net on 25 shots.
While the Rangers season did come to a disastrous end, the Devils wouldn’t last much longer losing to the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes in Round 2.
Series Standout:
Going with Brodeur is certainly tempting here, but the answer is without a doubt Patrik Elias.
Elias ended Round 1 with 2.75 points per game. This performance was highlighted by his six-point performance in Game 1, where he contributed to all six goals scored by New Jersey throughout the game.
Series Sufferer:
To put it bluntly, the Rangers played abysmal during this series, and they all deserve a lack of praise, if any. However, if you really need to find a scapegoat here, point the finger to Jaromir Jagr.
The 33-year-old finished the regular season with 123 points, good for 2nd in the NHL (two points behind Joe Thornton). Yet, he only provided one assist in Round 1. While the Rangers didn’t come close to any productivity in this series, it’s hard to ask for that when your start player doesn’t produce.
2007-08 Eastern Conference 1st Round: Rangers Win Series 4-1
In the 1st round of the 2008 Playoffs, the fourth-seed Devils would find themselves matched up against the fifth-seed Rangers for the 5th all-time postseason matchup. This season was a great example of when NHL fans talk about how the Devils were carried by their defense. After the regular season, New Jersey finished 26th in the league in goals with 206 yet 4th in the NHL in goals against with 197.
Imagine being one of the worst-scoring teams in hockey yet still having a goal differential of +9. Unfortunately, the Rangers had a similar team build. NY had the 23rd-worst goal total and were 5th in goals against.
Regarding the result of this series, the winner would be determined by who’s offense would click first, and for the Rangers, that was exactly the case. The ‘Blue Shirts’ claimed the series in five games, outscoring the Devils 17-12.
Henrik Lundqvist was much sharper this time, recording a save percentage of .917. Additionally, Rangers forwards all made plenty of contributions, including former Devil Scott Gomez. He had three goals and four assists while picking up a point in 4 of the 5 contests.
At the end of the day, the Devils didn’t play a bad series. New Jersey’s downfall was getting outscored 9-2 across all five 3rd periods and being unable to get the go-ahead goal in tie games.
While the Rangers would meet their fate in a five-game series loss to the Eastern Conference Champion Penguins in Round 2, you have to give that team credit for finishing games at an elite level throughout five exhausting matches.
Series Standout:
It’s redemption time for Jaromir Jagr. After being arguably the most disappointing Ranger during the 2006 series, the captain put together a team-high eight points across five games in 95:31 on the ice (2nd on the team). While Jagr would take a three-year break from the NHL after this season, he certainly was very productive in the Devils’ 2007-2008 downfall.
Series Sufferer:
You need your defenseman to perform when you’re a team that relies on defense. This series was a rough one for Paul Martin. After being second on the team with a +20, he was last on the team during this series with a -8. Again, it’s hard to point fingers at Martin as the primary scapegoat, but if anyone is it, it’s definitely him.
2011-2012 Eastern Conference Finals: Devils Win Series 4-2
Rangers fans, it’s now your turn to look away. The 2011-12 season saw the New York Rangers finished with the second most points in the league (109), falling two points shy of the Vancouver Canucks for the Presidents’ Trophy.
Meanwhile, after a handful of underwhelming seasons, the Devils were able to get in as the six seed, riding behind 39-year-old Martin Brodeur and the hot play of Ilya Kovalchuk.
For the Rangers, it was a rough road to the Eastern Conference Final. It took two 7-game series wins against Ottawa and Washington to get this far, and while the Devils had to beat Florida in 7 in Round 1, they were able to rattle off four consecutive Ws against the Flyers in Round 2 and defeat them in 5.
New York started off with a 2-1 series lead after three games. They won both Games 1 and 3 by scores of 3-0, and 20-year-old Chris Kreider had put a puck in the back of the net in each of the three contests.
While the Devils would find themselves with their backs against the wall early, they would go on to outscore the Rangers 12-6 across the remaining trio of games to take the series and advance to the Cup Final.
Before we conclude, we need to take a deeper look at Game 6, or what many would call to be one of the best games in recent Devils history. At the end of the first period, the Devils found themselves up 2-0 thanks to goals from Ryan Carter and Kovalchuck. The Rangers would find their equalizer in the second period, netting two goals past the GOAT.
The match would advance into overtime. Just over a minute in, rookie Adam Henrique would score the game-winning goal and make May 25th a non-official national holiday for Devils fans. The moment is known as the “Henrique! It’s over!” goal due to the phenomenal call from play-by-play legend Doc Emrick on the play.
While New Jersey could not outlast the Cinderella Los Angeles Kings in the Final, Devils fans will never forget May 25th, 2012.
Series Standout:
I hate to beat a dead horse here, but it’s Adam Henrique. It always has been. It wouldn’t matter what he would do for the rest of his Devils tenure; that goal will always make him a hero in New Jersey for the rest of his life.
Series Sufferer:
Michael Del Zotto had a rough six games going to the box for three separate minors and registering a +/- of -6. It’s been emphasized throughout this recap that defense is ultra-important, and Del Zotto failed to realize that in this one.
Next. A Massive Thank You To Lindy Ruff. dark
Whether you’re a New York Rangers or New Jersey Devils fan, it’s easy to admit that the history between these two teams is very rich. There’s been plenty of meaningful and competitive games that both sides have won, and it would be hard to say that the ‘Hudson River Rivalry’ is not one of the NHL’s most meaningful clashes.
If these two teams do in fact meet in the postseason for the 7th time, we can certainly expect another storyline that we’ll keep with us for a long while.