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Zach Parise wanted to touch the Prince of Wales Trophy.

But as the superstition goes, it’s bad luck, so Parise allowed his teammates to have the final say.

“Some guys said do what you want. Some guys said no,” Parise said. “I felt the majority said no, don’t touch it. So I figured I wouldn’t touch it. Let’s just get a picture around it. And I mean, I wanted to touch it, but the majority said no. So that’s fine by me.”

Parise didn’t want to jinx anything before the Devils won the Eastern Conference title and advanced to the Stanley Cup. They took Game 6 against the Rangers, 3-2, in overtime on Friday night.

“I didn’t want to talk about it,” Parise said. “I didn’t want to ask about it before the game. You don’t want to get too far ahead of yourself.”

• It was the most anticipated handshake of the playoffs.

But when Peter DeBoer and John Tortorella met, there were no fireworks between the two coaches.

It wasn’t Game 4 all over again.

“You know, he was very classy. He came over. Shook my hand. And there was nothing more than that,” DeBoer said.

• Ilya Kovalchuk chose to re-sign with the Devils over inking a free-agent deal with the Kings two offseasons ago.

Now, the two teams will meet in the Stanley Cup finals. Ironic, no?

“It’s a little weird that two teams that I chose from are gonna play in the finals, but I’m pretty sure I made the right decision, and I can’t wait to play those games,” said Kovalchuk, who is playing on a 15-year, $100 million pact with New Jersey.

Recap | Box score | Photos

What it means: Eighteen years ago to the day, the Devils blew a 2-0 lead to let Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals and a 3-2 series lead slip away. But this is not 1994.

Despite a second-period rally that kept the Rangers' hope alive, the Devils knocked off their Hudson River rivals with a 3-2 overtime win to earn their first trip to the Stanley Cup finals since 2003. With the score tied at 2, rookie Adam Henrique scored the winner to send New York packing while New Jersey advances to face the Los Angeles Kings.

All tied up: A Rangers captain pulls his team even after falling behind to the Devils 2-0 in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals ... sound familiar? Ryan Callahan tipped Dan Girardi's point shot for his third goal in four games, knotting the score with 6:19 remaining in the second period.

Slow starts: Trailing by two goals at the first intermission, the Rangers were haunted by yet another poor start. In the last three games of the series, the Rangers were outscored 7-1 in the first period.

Usual suspects: With yet another goal from their fourth line, the Devils took a lead midway into the first period with Ryan Carter's second goal in as many games. Carter, who scored the game winner in Game 5, buried a rebound for a 1-0 lead at 10:05. Steve Bernier also made a terrific pass to set up the Devils' rush and earned a secondary assist on the play.

Pretty power play: Devils sniper Ilya Kovalchuk completed a seamless tic-tac-toe passing sequence touched by all five Devils for a power-play goal at 13:56 of the first period. Dainius Zubrus made a terrific pass through the crease to find Kovalchuk, who scored back-door for a 2-0 lead that sent the Prudential Center crowd into a frenzy.

Fed-Ex: Clutch playoff performer Ruslan Fedotenko cut the Devils' lead in half with a goal at 9:47 of the second. The 33-year-old veteran, who has won Stanley Cups previously with Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh, put back Ryan McDonagh's wraparound attempt to spark the Rangers' second-period comeback.

Slash attack: Devils first-line center Travis Zajac was forced from the game briefly during the second period after taking a hard slash to the left hand by Rangers tough guy Brandon Prust. Prust, who was suspended for one game earlier in the series after a reckless elbow to Anton Volchenkov in Game 3, did not earn a penalty on the play.

Ouch: Both Henrique and Carter left the game during the third period after being hit by shots. Henrique returned later in the period, while Carter did not come back until overtime.

At a glance: The Devils have a chance to dispose of their Hudson River rivals and secure a spot in the Stanley Cup Finals with a win on home ice against the Rangers on Friday night in Game 6. There’s no panic from the top-seeded Rangers, however. Although the team has come back only twice in franchise history from a 3-2 series deficit, once was earlier this postseason. And the team has won all three of its games in the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs when facing elimination. Can the Devils finish them off? Or will the Rangers fight back again to force a Game 7?

Not dwelling on 1994: Although both clubs are inextricably linked by their iconic meeting in the 1994 Eastern Conference finals, neither team is dwelling on that memorable series 18 years ago. According to veteran netminder Martin Brodeur, who was 22 years old when handed one of the toughest losses of his career, the coincidence has no impact: “I know if you look at it, it looks the same ... but it’s different teams and a different way of playing the game.” Said Rangers coach John Tortorella: “Not to disrespect what happened there, but that has nothing to do with how we’re preparing.”

No guarantee: Ryan Callahan wasn’t willing to go the Mark Messier route and guarantee a victory, but the 27-year-old captain’s play has inspired confidence in the Rangers. After being held off the scoresheet in the first two games of the series, Callahan has three points (two goals, one assist) in the last three games, including a pristine Game 5 performance that featured a goal and a team-leading six hits.

Parise producing: Captain Zach Parise is setting the tone for his high-octane Devils, who have scored four or more goals in five of their last nine games. The 27-year-old winger has five points (three goals, two assists) in the team’s last two games.

History against them: Only twice in franchise history have the Rangers come back from a 3-2 series deficit, although one of those comebacks was earlier this postseason when the team knocked off the Ottawa Senators in Games 6 and 7 in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

Playoff performer: While Devils superstars Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk have, at times, struggled to produce this postseason, defenseman Bryce Salvador has been one of the team’s most consistent performers. The 36-year-old veteran, who missed all of last season with a concussion, has three goals and eight assists. In 17 playoff games, he has two points more than he amassed in 82 regular-season contests.

“Best” game prediction: The boldest prediction from the Rangers camp heading into Game 6 was Tortorella’s proclamation that goaltender Henrik Lundqvist would bounce back from a pair of losses. “He’ll play his best game tomorrow night,” Tortorella said Thursday. After shutting out the Devils in two of the first three games of the series, Lundqvist has given up seven goals combined over the last two.

At a glance: In a rowdy Game 4 that delivered all the nastiness lacking in the first three games, the Devils proved that Henrik is human after all. Shut out twice in the first three games against the Rangers, the Devils solved the mind-bogglingly steady Henrik Lundqvist with a 4-1 win that tied the series at two games apiece. Devils captain Zach Parise led the charge, finishing with two goals and an assist in a stellar performance that had the Prudential Center buzzing, while goaltender Martin Brodeur made 30 saves and added an assist on Parise's late-game empty-netter.

Rough stuff: The arena reached a fever pitch midway into the third after ex-Devil Mike Rupp shoved Brodeur after the play, igniting a melee that eventually ensnared both coaches. John Tortorella and Pete DeBoer screamed at each other from the bench while their players tangled on the ice -- the second time this season the two have gone at it during a game. Both coaches traded barbs during the teams' last regular-season meeting March 19.

Playoff performer: Recording his third goal of the playoffs -- after being held without one during all 82 games of the regular season -- Devils defenseman Bryce Salvador beat Lundqvist five-hole with a shot through traffic fired from the left point at 8:10. The 36-year-old veteran has three goals and six assists in 16 games this postseason.

Another benching: Two games after stapling Marian Gaborik to the bench, Tortorella exercised the tough-love strategy on young defenseman Michael Del Zotto. After a first-period miscue led to the Devils’ second goal of the night, Del Zotto coughed the puck up 2:57 into the second and didn’t see the ice the rest of the period.

Two-on-one: A gaffe along the boards by Del Zotto led to a two-on-one rush that allowed New Jersey to pad its one-goal lead. Parise made a perfect setup to linemate Travis Zajac, who one-timed the puck for a 2-0 advantage at 11:59.

First fisticuffs: Tensions finally erupted for the series’ first fight -- albeit a brief one -- 9:26 into the first, as Adam Henrique and Ryan McDonagh tangled. Henrique seemed to take exception to McDonagh’s cross-check after the whistle and both were sent to the box for fighting. The rough stuff continued in the second period when Rangers captain Callahan and Devils sniper Ilya Kovalchuk went after each other on more than one occasion. Both were sent to the box -- Callahan for roughing, Kovalchuk for slashing -- after one nasty sequence during which Callahan swiped at Kovalchuk’s helmet only to receive a spear to the stomach in retaliation.

Bickel in for Prust: With Brandon Prust serving a one-game suspension for his elbow on Anton Volchenkov in Game 3, defenseman Stu Bickel was used to replace him as a forward, although that plan didn’t last for long. With Del Zotto benched in the second period, Bickel was put back on defense.

What's next: Game 5, Wednesday at Madison Square Garden, 8 p.m.

At a glance: Shut out twice this series, including a 3-0 blanking on Saturday, the Devils aim to even things up in Game 4 at home on Monday. Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist has been the difference-maker in the Eastern Conference finals, letting in only three goals over the first three games. Frustration is mounting for the Devils and the bad blood has re-surfaced as the two division rivals clash at Newark’s Prudential Center.

Fightin’ words: Civil through the first three games, the series is taking on a nastier note after Rangers coach John Tortorella’s incendiary comments. Upset that his Devils counterpart Pete DeBoer called Rangers tough guy Brandon Prust a head-hunter, Tortorella spewed venom over the Devils tactics. The fiery coach, who traded barbs with DeBoer earlier this season, charged the Devils with embellishing injuries to sell calls and employing illegal screens to free up sniper Ilya Kovalchuk on the power-play. DeBoer’s response to Tortorella’s rant? “Comical.”

Prust suspended: The league agreed with DeBoer regarding Prust’s elbow to the helmet of Devils defenseman Anton Volchenkov Saturday night. The gritty 28-year-old winger was slapped with a one-game suspension for the incident and will miss Game 4 as a result.

Filling the void: Without Prust, the Rangers will likely use defenseman Stu Bickel as a forward in the lineup. Injured forward Brandon Dubinsky skated again with the team Monday, but is not yet ready to return from a right foot injury sustained in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals against Ottawa.

Playoff debut: Devils center Jacob Josefson, who has been sidelined since suffering a broken left wrist on April 3, will make his playoff debut for the Devils Monday. The 21-year-old Swedish center has been limited to 41 games during a injury-hampered regular season; he also sustained a broken collarbone in October that shelved him for three months. To accommodate his return to the lineup, 35-year-old veteran Petr Sykora will be scratched.

At a loss: Held without a goal this series, Devils captain Zach Parise was at a loss for words following a spirit-sapping Game 3 defeat. Wary of letting his emotions spill over, Parise spurned the media in an uncharacteristic move that highlighted his frustration. The 27-year-old winger, set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1, is expected to play on a line with Travis Zajac and Dainius Zubrus Monday in a rearrangement designed to yield more offense.

Recap | Box score | Photos

What it means: In a match that drew eerie parallels to Game 1, the Rangers surged in the third period, breaking a scoreless tie and running away with a 3-0 win at the Prudential Center for a 2-1 series lead.

The Devils carried play for the first half of the game, but Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist was not to be topped. The Vezina and Hart trophy finalist made 36 stops in his second shutout of the series -- another sensational performance that the Rangers would've been ashamed to waste. The Rangers received goals from Dan Girardi and rookie Chris Kreider, and captain Ryan Callahan ended a lengthy goal drought with his empty-netter to make it 3-0.

Déjà vu: In what seemed to mirror Game 1 to an uncanny degree, Girardi snapped a scoreless draw early in the third period before Kreider added an insurance goal less than two minutes later. Both players tallied goals in the Rangers' Game 1 victory on Monday at Madison Square Garden.

After a clutch faceoff win by teammate Brad Richards, Girardi ripped a wrist shot past Martin Brodeur for a power-play goal at 3:19 to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead. Kreider added his fifth goal of the playoffs on a deflection of Ryan McDonagh's point shot at 5:16.

Goaltending duel: The second period featured a pair of spectacular saves by each team's netminder. Lundqvist made a diving stop with his left arm to deny Ilya Kovalchuk on a breakaway just 45 seconds into the frame. Not to be outdone, Brodeur sprawled to smother Callahan's attempt at the left post at 4:16.

No penalty on Prust: Rangers tough guy Brandon Prust got away with elbowing Devils defenseman Anton Volchenkov at 2:38 of the second. Volchenkov was slow to get up after being felled by Prust's elbow to the back of the helmet -- a play that was missed by all four on-ice officials. However, Prust might still face supplementary discipline. Volchenkov returned to the ice after the hit.

Switching things up: Not long into the first period, Rangers coach John Tortorella shuffled his lines, using Kreider with Richards and Marian Gaborik, and placing Carl Hagelin with center Derek Stepan and Callahan on the second line.

The Rangers' power play also debuted a new look. Gaborik, Kreider and Artem Anisimov were used up front while defensemen Michael Del Zotto and Anton Stralman manned the points of the team's first unit.

Tortorella reunited his original lines to begin the second period.

Stu scratched: Defenseman Stu Bickel, often the first victim when Tortorella shortens the bench, was scratched Saturday. Replacing him in the lineup was Steve Eminger, who has appeared in only one other playoff contest for the Rangers -- Game 1 of their semifinals set against Washington on April 28.

Up Next: Rangers at Devils, 8 p.m. Monday

Expect to see Ilya Kovalchuk, Travis Zajac and Zach Parise paired together again.

After putting together that high-octane line for Game 2 Wednesday night, Devils coach Peter DeBoer said during a conference call Thursday that he liked how that line helped the entire team's depth in the Devils' 3-2 win over the Rangers.

"I think we got the desired effect," DeBoer said. "Maybe it didn't translate into 5-on-5 goals, but I think more than how that line specifically played, I thought it gave us four lines we could roll and really keep pressure on the other team."

The trio is usually split up during games, although they have been paired together before. Kovalchuk and Zajac are usually on the same line, while Parise is instead on a line centered by Patrik Elias. After the Rangers blanked the Devils in Game 1, DeBoer put together the three to galvanize the offense and create better scoring chances.

While they didn’t score any even-strength goals, Kovalchuk sniped home a power-play goal in the first to give the Devils a 1-0 lead, with Parise contributing an assist. They combined for seven shots on goal as the Devils evened up the series.

"I like what they did, I think they're capable of dominating a game," DeBoer said. "Maybe we didn't see that last night, but every time you roll those guys out they have the potential to do that on every given night, and I like what it allowed us to do with our other three lines and the balance we had."

EARNING PRAISE: After tallying a combined eight points during the regular season, defenseman Bryce Salvador has eight points in just 14 games in the playoffs, including two assists in Wednesday night's win.

"I don't know, I think maybe contract year," DeBoer said with a laugh about Salvador's offensive explosion in the playoffs. "He's an unsung warrior for us. I can tell you he's the one guy that probably doesn't know even know how many points he's got. He's just playing his game. That's what we need him to do. He's had a fantastic year for us and another guy we wouldn't be here without him."

DeBoer also praised the play of Marek Zidlicky. The Devs acquired the defenseman for three players, a second-round pick in 2012 and a third-round choice in 2013.

"He's invaluable. We wouldn't be here without him." DeBoer said. "I think it was a great trade Lou made identifying him and paying the price to go and get him. At the time, it looked like a heavy price to pay but he's been worth every bit of it and more."

WHERE THE FANS ARE: During regular season games at the Prudential Center, Parise noticed how the Rangers fans would make themselves heard when the Blueshirts scored. While the team is no longer promoting its "No Blue" initiative, Parise wants to see a home rink filled with Devils fans Saturday night.

"Hopefully, there won't be too many blue jerseys in the stands for this home game," Parise said.

At a glance: Surrendering Game 1 to the Rangers despite carrying play for much of the match, the Devils responded in Game 2 with a 3-2 win to tie the series at a game apiece. With the game tied at 2, New Jersey's David Clarkson deflected Bryce Salvador's shot 2:31 into the third period for the go-ahead goal. The Rangers' loss marks the third time this postseason that the team squandered an opportunity to take a two-game series lead. The best-of-seven set now heads to Newark for Games 3 and 4.

Double the deflection: Trailing 1-0 after the first period, the Rangers tallied twice on the power play during the second period to take a 2-1 lead. Defenseman Marc Staal was credited with the Rangers' first goal at 2:23; his shot deflected off Devils defenseman Salvador, then caromed off the end-boards before bouncing off Martin Brodeur's pads for his third goal of the playoffs. Scoring his second goal in as many games, Rangers rookie Chris Kreider deflected Anton Stralman's shot at 12:19.

All tied up: Tying the game late in the second period, Devils fourth-liner Ryan Carter tipped in Salvador’s shot. Coach John Tortorella looked irate after Marian Gaborik's casual clearing attempt allowed the Devils to keep the puck in the zone.

Gaborik benched: As penance for the Devil's game-tying goal, Gaborik was benched to begin the third period with Artem Anisimov skating on the team's first line with Carl Hagelin and Brad Richards. Gaborik did not reappear until taking his first shift of the period 11:20 into the third.

Block that: Giving the Devils their first goal of the series, Ilya Kovalchuk sniped one from the left circle to beat Henrik Lundqvist high-glove, although it was a laser Lundqvist had no shot to snag. Kovalchuk’s power-play marker, assisted by defenseman Marek Zidlicky and captain Zach Parise, gave the Devils a 1-0 lead at 13:39.

Loading up: Switching up the lines from Game 1, Devils coach Pete Deboer loaded up his top line with Parise, Kovalchuk and center Travis Zajac to start the game.

Un-hinged: In a bizarre-yet-comical twist during a tight game at Madison Square Garden, the door to the Devils penalty box jammed with Zajac waiting to serve his ill-advised offensive-zone interference penalty during the second period. Crew workers labored for almost 10 minutes -- even trying to kick the door open at one point -- before resolving the situation, which had several players chuckling on their respective benches.

Defensive substitution: Devils defenseman Peter Harrold made his first appearance of the series, replacing rookie Adam Larsson in the lineup. The 28-year-old even manned the right point on the Devils’ second power-play unit.

Up Next: Rangers at Devils, Game 3, Saturday at 1 p.m.

At a glance: After shutting out their Hudson River rivals 3-0 in Game 1 Monday at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers aim to do something they have yet to accomplish this post-season: take a 2-game series lead. Meanwhile, the Devils look to even the series after letting the opener slip away after outplaying the Rangers for significant stretches.

Shots fired: Via a Devils spokesperson, goaltender Martin Brodeur defended his post-game comments in the wake of Game 1’s 3-0 shutout loss. The 40-year-old veteran, who reportedly suggested the Devils try aiming for the heads of the Rangers to curb their willingness to block shots, said the remarks were made “off-the-cuff.” Brodeur, who no longer talks on game days, said through the spokesperson that his intent was not to target the Rangers in such a way.

Block party: Whereas the Devils frustrated the Rangers with their relentless forechecking pressure, the Rangers countered with their superior shot-blocking. The Black-and-Blueshirts blocked 26 shots, compared to 15 from the Devils, a lopsided stat that prompted a pointed response from Brodeur: “Well from my view I saw [goaltender Henrik Lundqvist] for about 10 minutes of the game because there were so many Rangers in front of him, but he played pretty well.”

Looking for offense: Following a 29-goal regular season in which Rangers captain Ryan Callahan proved he is more than just a gritty face, the 27-year-old has been limited to only three goals over 15 games this post-season. Callahan has been held off the scoresheet over the past three games and has not scored a goal since May 2. What does he need to do to get going offensively? Said coach John Tortorella: “I won't answer.”

Loading up: According to line rushes in the Devils’ morning skate, coach Pete DeBoer has stacked his top line with Zach Parise, Travis Zajac and Ilya Kovalchuk, presumably to yield more offense. Parise and Kovalchuk were split to begin Game 1, presenting Tortorella with an interesting dilemma: which line should he try to match with his shutdown defense pair of Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi?

Making changes: Devils depth defenseman Peter Harrold may be making his first appearance of the series. DeBoer said it was an “option” to sit rookie Adam Larsson and use Harrold in his stead. The 28-year-old blue-liner, a former teammate and roommate of fellow Boston College alum Brian Boyle, has not played since Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against Philadelphia.

Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist delivered a 21-save shutout -- the fifth in his playoff career -- but he received some key contributions by his Rangers defensemen along the way in the team’s 3-0 win over the Devils in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Top-pair defenseman Ryan McDonagh may have single-handedly saved the team in the first period with a relentless back-checking effort that negated two Devils’ breakaways.

McDonagh raced down Devils captain Zach Parise to snuff out what would’ve been a stellar scoring opportunity at 6:10 of the first and took an angle on Ilya Kovalchuk to hamper the sniper’s solo rush later in the period.

The two plays were vital in preserving a scoreless tie that endured until the game’s first goal 53 seconds into the third.

“You never want to be chasing anyone down, especially those two players,” said McDonagh, who finished with a plus-2 rating in 24:27 Monday night at Madison Square Garden. “You try and be smart and not take a penalty or not taking a penalty shot. Henrik did a good job of coming out on Kovalchuk there to cut down the angle, so it’s a combination of him and I.”

The Rangers were engulfed by the Devils in the second period by a tenacious forechecking effort and found themselves hemmed in their own end for much of the frame.

The pressure caused some uncharacteristic mistakes from the Rangers’ blue line, including Dan Girardi's unsightly gaffe to turn the puck over at the goal line. Girardi’s rare giveaway almost gifted New Jersey’s Dainius Zubrus with a lay-up, but he was bailed out by a save from Lundqvist.

“They had a lot of pressure on us. They weren’t given us much time to make plays and we ended up icing it a bunch,” said alternate captain Marc Staal. “Hank made some key saves for us, so we got out of it without getting hurt.”

Then came Girardi’s redemption shot in the third, when he gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead with a deep slapshot that beat Martin Brodeur less than a minute into play. Rookie Chris Kreider set up the pivotal marker, earning the primary assist on the play in his second multi-point performance of the playoffs.

“I saw (Kreider) coming up the wall there and I was delaying to see what he was going to do,” said Girardi, who was wearing the Rangers MVP Broadway Hat after the game. “I saw no one go to the point and I kind of stepped into it and got it through.”

With Girardi’s game-winner, the Rangers have now received nine goals from defensemen throughout the playoffs.

“To get some offense (from) some of your best defensemen offensively, it’s important,” said coach John Tortorella. “And (Girardi) has made some really big plays. Not just getting on the scoreboard, but big plays offensively right on through the playoffs here.”

What it means: In a series featuring two of the game's elite goaltenders -- the best of all time vs. the best right now -- the New York Rangers' Henrik Lundqvist came through as king of the crease, shutting out the New Jersey Devils in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. Martin Brodeur hardly deserved the jeers he received from the raucous Rangers fans, but Lundqvist was dominant in making 21 stops to lead the way in the Blueshirts' 3-0 win at Madison Square Garden. Despite controlling play for sustained stretches throughout the game, the Devils surrendered the series opener after third-period goals from Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi and rookie Chris Kreider, and an empty-netter from Artem Anisimov.

Redemption shot: Girardi redeemed himself early in the third after an ugly second-period giveaway that almost cost his team a goal. The All-Star blueliner blasted one past Brodeur just 53 seconds into the third period to snap a scoreless tie and record his second goal of the playoffs.

Rookie responds: Limited for the latter half of the Rangers' second-round set against the Capitals, Kreider responded in his first taste of the Rangers-Devils rivalry with a key power-play goal in the third. Burying a feed from Anisimov, the 21-year-old winger ripped one past Brodeur at the 12-minute mark for a 2-0 Rangers lead.

Mac attack: Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh effectively snuffed out the Devils’ two best scoring chances of the first period with an inspired back-checking effort. The second-year defenseman, used as part of the Rangers’ steady shutdown pair with Girardi, first broke up Zach Parise's mini-breakaway at 6:10 and then later angled in to force Ilya Kovalchuk to his backhand on a rush later in the frame.

Rapid fire: Although the Devils carried play in the second period -- wearing down the Rangers with a hard fore-checking effort and extended zone time -- a locked-in Lundqvist kept them off the scoreboard. Facing a short-handed flurry with less than six minutes remaining, Lundqvist denied Parise on three rapid-fire attempts in a span of three seconds. Devils rookie Adam Henrique set up the barrage, knocking Rangers defenseman Anton Stralman off the puck behind the goal line.

Girardi gaffe: New Jersey's Dainius Zubrus almost had a lay-up after a rare mistake by Girardi in his own end during the second period. The usually steady top-pair defenseman coughed the puck up from behind the net right to Zubrus but was fortunate to have Lundqvist bail him out with the save 2:08 into the middle frame.

Hockey tough: Devils veteran Patrik Elias took a puck to the face in the final minutes of the first period, but didn’t even leave the bench as the team trainer repaired his bloody nose. The 36-year-old forward returned to the game for the third period.

Up Next: Rangers vs. Devils, Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET.

At a glance: For the first time in 18 years, the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils meet in the Eastern Conference Finals for a heated Hudson River showdown to determine which team will move one step closer to the Cup. After knocking off the Flyers in five games, New Jersey enters Monday’s match recharged and revitalized after five days rest while the Rangers hop right back into the action after a grueling seven-game series with the Capitals. The hatred between the two teams is genuine and venom between the division rivals is ready to be unleashed. Buckle up, hockey fans. This one is sure to be a bloody, bitter battle.

Lundqvist vs. Brodeur: Rangers netminder Henrik Lundqvist is trying to cap a sensational 2011-12 season and while he dominates Martin Brodeur in regular-season head-to-head meetings (23-7-5, 1.61 GAA, .941 save percentage), Brodeur is the one who sets the bar as far as post-season success. The four-time Vezina Trophy winner has won three Stanley Cup Championships during his 18-year tenure with the Devils. Which one will hold court in this best-of-seven set?

Stars to watch: Beyond the superior goaltending match-up, the Devils and the Rangers possess two of the best snipers in the league in Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Gaborik, respectively. Both teams also feature hard working, heart-and-soul captains Zach Parise and Ryan Callahan and clutch playoff performers Patrik Elias and Brad Richards. X-factor players? Keep an eye on New Jersey’s David Clarkson, who is coming off a career-high 30-goal regular-season and New York’s talented rookie duo of Chris Kreider and Carl Hagelin.

Last time around: In a nasty regular-season finale between New York and New Jersey on March 19, the two teams wasted no time expressing their hostility. Six players dropped the gloves three seconds into play during an opening-faceoff line brawl that had the Garden crowd rocking and both coaches trading verbal jabs before, during and after the fight-filled contest.

Offensive outburst: Gone are the Devils teams of years past – the clubs that excelled with the trademark trap and a stingy defensive structure. They have been replaced with a high-flying, aggressive offensively opportunistic team under new coach Pete DeBoer. The well-balanced Devils are averaging three goals per game throughout the playoffs and required only five games to bounce the Flyers from the second round.

Cup stat “crap”: No team under the current playoff format has ever gone on to win the Stanley Cup after playing 14 games through the first two rounds. The Rangers needed a seventh game to dispatch of both Ottawa and Washington. How does coach John Tortorella feel about the statistical data stacked against his club? “That’s a bunch of cap,” he said in Monday morning’s press conference.

Revenge factor: Brodeur does not have fond memories of the last time the two teams met in the Eastern Conference finals back in 1994 en route to the Rangers’ first Stanley Cup since 1940. Stephane Matteau beat a then-22-year-old Brodeur with his iconic wraparound goal in double-overtime of Game 7 to send the Devils packing- a memory that still stings for the 40-year-old Brodeur.

Flyers goalie Ilya Bryzgalov said if he wasn't a hockey player, he'd be an astronaut.

Perhaps to explore the HU-MONG-OUS universe?

Ilya Kovalchuk was asked the same same question at Devils' morning skate on Thursday.

"A taxi driver," Kovalchuk replied.

Recap | Box score | Photos

WHAT IT MEANS: Who needs Kovy?

Zach Parise was stopped all alone in front, but David Clarkson put in the rebound for his first goal of the playoffs with 8:43 remaining, giving the Devils a 2-1 lead en route to a 4-1 victory over the Flyers in Game 2 at Wells Fargo Center. The best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals series is tied at 1-1.

The Devils scored all four of their goals in the third period, and their penalty kill held the Flyers' power play scoreless in five opportunities. Philadelphia is now 1-for-11 on the man-advantage in the series.

Starting his 179th straight playoff game, Martin Brodeur made 19 saves to secure his 104th career postseason victory. New Jersey outshot Philadelphia 35-20.

DEBUTANT: Dressing in his first NHL playoff game, rookie defenseman Adam Larsson scored his first postseason goal to knot the game 3:08 into the third period. The 19-year-old took a drop pass from Dainus Zubrus and went top shelf, glove side from the right circle to make it 1-1. It was the first goal by a Devils defenseman this playoffs.

TOP DOG: Travis Zajac's team-leading fifth goal of the playoffs -- on a backhand wraparound -- put New Jersey ahead by two with 5:59 left.

DROUGHT OVER: Bryce Salvador tallied a short-handed goal into an empty net to put the game away with 2:51 remaining. It was his first marker since March 20, 2010, a span of 100 games.

READ IT AND WEEP: Matt Read opened the scoring just 2:53 in, tallying from an impossible angle with Brodeur caught out of position.

0-FOR-12: The Devils outshot the Flyers 12-0 over the first 18:33 of the second period, but had nothing to show for it. Steve Bernier had New Jersey's best chance in the frame, but his shot in front was stopped by Ryan Carter's skate.

NO KOVY: Ilya Kovalchuk missed Game 2 due to a lower-body injury. The Devils say he is day to day. Kovalchuk's injury forced some serious line shuffling. Hybrid skater Peter Harrold moved from defense to the wing, while Larsson was inserted into the lineup. Here were the opening lines/pairings:

Parise-Elias-Clarkson
Sykora-Zajac-Zubrus
Ponikarovsky-Henrique-Bernier
Carter-Gionta-Harrold

Greene-Fayne
Salvador-Zidlicky
Volchenkov-Larsson

UP NEXT: Game 3 on Thursday night at Prudential Center

Ilya Kovalchuk has been ruled out of Tuesday's Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Devils and Flyers with a lower-body injury, the team announced.

How will that loss affect the series?

ESPN.com's Scott Burnside analyzes the impact with his column here.