The New Jersey Devils are set to face the New York Rangers for the first time this regular season on Thursday night.
The Devils enter this game hoping to build on their momentum after winning their most recent game against the Detroit Red Wings in overtime, 5-4. The Devils have also won two of their last three games, which is a step in the right direction.
However, the Rangers are having a stronger start to the season than the Devils. This is because New York has an impressive 6-2-0 record and is second in the Metropolitan Division. The Devils, on the other hand, have a 3-3-0 record.
After back-to-back poor seasons, the Rangers are looking like a competitive team again. Because of this, the historic rivalry between the Devils and the Rangers seems destined to become of the NHL's best again.
Sometimes rivalries cool off when one or both teams aren't playing well. This has felt like the case between the Devils and Rangers in recent years. This included this past season, as neither the Devils nor the Rangers were playoff teams. Yet, with the new season here and both teams looking to be playoff teams in the Metropolitan Division, the rivalry could very well heat up again.
Both the Devils and Rangers are also hungry to prove their doubters wrong after not being playoff teams in 2025-26. Due to this, it would not be surprising if both clubs are extra chippy in their first game of the season against each other on Thursday.
The Devils should also be entering this game extra motivated. They will be looking to lessen the early-season gap between them and the Rangers in the standings, which should also lead to more hard-nosed play.
The NHL needs to see a Devils vs. Rangers playoff series again
It seems inevitable that the Devils and Rangers' rivalry is set to heat up again this regular season. However, for the bad blood to truly return to its highest level, the NHL desperately needs the Devils and Rangers to face off in a playoff series again.
Another Devils vs. Rangers playoff series would be incredible for hockey. It's always a treat when these two clubs face each other in the postseason, and it seems like it could be a possibility this year, with the Rangers turning things around.
The last time the Devils and Rangers met in the playoffs was in 2023, and it was a fantastic series. The Devils defeated the Rangers in seven games in the first round, and it was incredibly thrilling. Here's to hoping these two teams can meet again in the playoffs soon, but for now, they'll reignite their rivalry during the regular season.
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