The lines are drawn and somewhere in the middle of the Hudson River is the front line of the Battle of New Jersey and New York, a series to warm the cockles of Gary Bettman's heart, or perhaps even as Denis Leary once said the sub cockles..
The Eastern Final showdown will be a battle for the hearts and minds of the Metropolitan New York area, the NHL's largest market, the home of the much cherished media attention all of it is before Gary Bettman's NHL as the Rangers and Devils take to the ice tonight for game one.
To say that these two teams don't have much love for each other is an understatement, befitting the rivalry that always seems to be prominent between New Jersey and New York, the Rangers and Devils have on occasion let their emotions get the better of them.
Pre game brawls and in game hostilities the highlight reel material of recent times, though we imagine with the playoffs on the line and with it a berth in the Stanley Cup Final, there may be a wee bit less of the extra curricular activity this time around.
Still, it should make for a most entertaining series, two hard nosed teams, the Devils well rested after their first two rounds, the Rangers perhaps a little weary after two series that went the distance of seven games, with many, many overtime periods to go along with them.
Goaltending features two of the best in the game at the moment, the legendary Martin Brodeur for the Devils the current King of New York Henrik Lundqvist for the Rangers.
The defences can punish and if theirs and edge it may be on offense where, in one of those eye brow raising moments, the Devils may be the favoured team for offensive output.
The last time the Rangers and Devils got together in a late playoff match up it was one of the most entertaining of series in recent times, there's no reason to doubt that the 2012 version won't be much of the same theme.
Game One-- New Jersey 0 at New York 3
The Rangers lead the series 1 game to 0
Previews and Reviews
POST GAME
New York Post-- Rangers shut out Devils in Game 1
New York Post-- Lundqvist wins Game 1 showdown with Brodeur
New York Post-- Kid Kreider making an impact for Rangers
New York Post-- Rangers defenseman McDonagh kept Devils scoreless
New York Post-- Rangers deny Devils power play
New York Post-- Rangers get first goal from Girardi
New York Post-- Parise has earned Devils "C" this season
NY Daily News-- NY Rangers' Henrik Lundqvist gets the shutout...
NY Daily News-- NY Rangers' Eastern Conference finals series ... shouldn't last very long
NY Daily News-- NYRangers' Dan Girardi overcomes early miscues...
NY Daily News-- NY Rangers' enforcer Mike Rupp has seen both sides of Blueshirts...
NY Daily News-- NY Rangers' Artem Anisimov lets his assist do the talking in Game 1
NY Daily News-- NY Rangers' Henrik Lundqvist gets the shutout ...
Newark Star Ledger-- Martin Brodeur kept the Devils in the game, he just couldn't win it ...
Newark Star Ledger-- What was the biggest reason for Game 1 loss to Rangers?
Newark Star Ledger-- Which member of Rangers have you hated the most?
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils find themselves facing heavy traffic against Rangers
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils have narrow margin for error against Rangers
Newark Star Ledger-- The Rangers are sacrificing their bodies to help out their goaltender
Newark Star Ledger-- We need to get more shots on Henrik Lundqvist
Newark Star Ledger-- Rookie Chris Kreider sparks Rangers
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils need to capitalize on their few good scoring chances
Newark Star Ledger-- Rangers top Devils, 3-0, to take Game 1 of Eastern Conference Final
Newark Star Ledger-- Being in Rangers' shadow doesn't bother us
Globe and Mail-- Rangers shut out Devils in Game 1
Globe and Mail-- New series, same old John Tortorella
National Post-- Rangers win battle of wills with Devils in Game 1
PRE GAME
New York Post-- Rangers, Devils begin series at Garden tonight
New York Post-- Brodeur brings experience to Devils' Cup quest
New York Post-- Rangers' Kreider could rejoin Stepan and Callahan
New York Post-- Rangers -Devils matchups, picks
New York Post-- Rangers-Devils keys to series
New York Post-- Messier around to inspire Rangers
New York Post-- Dubinsky's return to Rangers unknown
New York Post-- Devils excited for series with Rangers
NY Daily News-- NY Rangers, NJ Devils rivalry games have been dogged by fights ...
NY Daily News-- NY Rangers and NJ Devils need to realize Stanley Cup shot is at stake...
NY Daily News-- Martin Brodeur looking forward to matchup with Henrik Lundqvist ...
NY Daily News-- City supremacy at stake in Rangers vs. Devils series
NY Daily News-- Current Rangers looking to capture spirit Stephane Matteau, Mark Messier ...
NY Daily News-- NY Rangers vs NJ Devils in Eastern Conference Finals will not look like ...
NY Daily News-- Rest a blessing for Marek Zidlicky and NJ Devils ...
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils awaiting Game 1 against Rangers, hold optional morning skate
Newark Star Ledger-- Are you expecting a physical series?
Newark Star Ledger-- Even Martin Brodeur concedes Henrik Lundqvist is at the top now
Newark Star Ledger-- For the Rangers there's still plenty of work to be done ...
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils and Rangers set to rekindle rivalry for spot ...
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils - Rangers Eastern Conference Finals preview
Newark Star Ledger-- A modest Martin Brodeur compares himself to Henrik Lundqvist
Newark Star Ledger-- NJ Transit may add train cars and buses to accommodate Rangers-Devils
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils' Pete DeBoer excited to face Rangers and 'play any way they want' ...
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils Marek Zidlicky and Patrik Elias could have both been Rangers
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils hold last practice before facing Rangers in conference finals
Globe and Mail-- Eastern Conference final preview: Rangers vs. Devils
Globe and Mail-- For Devils and Rangers, everything old is new again
Globe and Mail-- Is Gary Bettman peaking at the right time?
National Post-- Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur enjoys his curtain call
National Post-- Five Questions: Ranges vs Devils
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