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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.

There might be plenty of similarities between the 1994 and 2012 Eastern Conference finals, but Martin Brodeur doesn't see them.

"I know if you look at it, it looks the same," the Devils goaltender said Thursday, in between Games 5 and 6 against the Rangers. "But it's different teams and a different way of playing the game.

"That's 18 years ago. That's a long time. I know I'm feeling a lot different. I'm feeling a lot more appreciative of what's going on. Before, the Rangers were a good team when they beat us. We were not supposed to compete with them at all in '94. They made these trades and they had all these big guys at the end, and they pulled it off in a dramatic way.

"But this time around, we feel we can play with them. It makes me feel a lot more comfortable going into these games coming up."

In 1994, Brodeur and the Devils led the Rangers 3-2 in their series after beating them at Madison Square Garden in Game 5 -- just like they have in 2012. But the Rangers won the next two games and then the Stanley Cup -- something the Devils don't want to happen this time around.

"[Wednesday night] was maybe a little wake-up call," Brodeur said. "They played a lot better, but we didn't play as good as we wanted, so I'm sure they're going to feed off of some of the stuff they exposed in us. We're definitely going to need to be better for the rest of the series."

Many reporters tried to get the Rangers' players to make a guarantee similar to the one Mark Messier made prior to Game 6 in 1994 -- he ended up with a hat trick in New York's 4-2 victory over New Jersey at Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford, N.J. -- but no one took the bait.

"We didn't even know before the game was ended that he made a guarantee. I don't know when he did it," Brodeur said. "I think it was in the morning skate or something. It could have been the night before; but, again, I don't recall it having an effect on us at all. But I think at the end of the game, everybody made a big deal out of that. If he really said it, it's a pretty gutsy thing to do."

Then Stephane Matteau scored his iconic wrap-around winner in double overtime in Game 7, stunning the Devils. Brodeur was 22 then. He said he learned a lot from the experience.

He went on to become the winningest goaltender of all time and capture three championships. Now, he's 40 and aiming for his fourth.

"Nobody knew my name back then," Brodeur said. "You know, it's different, but that was pretty amazing how loud they got chanting my name [at MSG in Game 5]."

Devils coach Peter DeBoer certainly didn't want to make any comparisons between 1994 and 2012.

"I don't even think about '94. In '94 I still had hair," DeBoer joked. "It was that long ago. That plays no part in what we're doing."

Many didn't expect Brodeur to carry his team the way he has in the postseason. Yet he has gone 11-5 with a 2.04 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage, and the Devils are one win from advancing to their first finals since 2003.

"Part of it is he's very impressive," DeBoer said. "He's an impressive guy. He's calm. He's been there before, and he's a calming influence on our team and in our dressing room. That's why he's the best of all time."

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What it means: The Rangers erased a three-goal deficit with a staggering comeback that almost made up for their disastrous start, but Ryan Carter's game winner with 4:24 remaining sapped all the life out of Madison Square Garden as the Devils pulled off a 5-3 stunner.

After rattling off two straight wins, the Devils head home with a 3-2 series lead and the chance to finish off their Hudson River rivals in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals Friday.

Gionta's a gem: Scoring the game's first goal and setting up the winner, New Jersey's Stephen Gionta's Cinderella story continues. The younger brother of former Devil Brian Gionta, Stephen has been a vital cog for the Devils as part of their productive fourth line since being recalled from the AHL for the team's regular-season finale last month.

Redemption shot: Dropped to the third line, struggling sniper Marian Gaborik earned his redemption with his third-period equalizer 17 seconds into play. Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur strayed from the crease and misplayed the puck, allowing Gaborik to bank the game-tying goal off his pads. Gaborik's turnaround was a dramatic one; he bungled a ripe opportunity early in the first with the Rangers trailing 2-0, missing on an open net in front at 6:31.

Brodeur gets earful: Following Brodeur's miscue that led to Gaborik's goal, the crowd's trademark taunts reached a deafening level and continued throughout stoppages in the third period.

So much for starts: For all the talk about their poor starts, the Rangers fell victim once again, surrendering three goals less than 10 minutes into play.

The Devils' high-energy fourth line chipped in with Stephen Gionta's backhander 2:43 into play, and the Rangers found themselves down two goals after Adam Henrique's shot glanced off Patrik Elias and Artem Anisimov less than two minutes later. Top-line center Travis Zajac ripped a sharp wrist shot across the grain to beat goaltender Henrik Lundqvist for a 3-0 Devils lead 9:48 into play.

Prust sparks crowd: After pacing through Game 4 while serving a one-game suspension, Rangers tough guy Brandon Prust returned to ignite the MSG crowd with a goal to whittle the Devils' lead to 3-1 with 4:19 left in the first period.

Captain in the crease: It took the Rangers all of 32 seconds to whittle the Devils' lead to one goal. Rangers captain Ryan Callahan redirected the puck past Brodeur on the first shift of the second period. The goal was reviewed but ultimately upheld because the puck deflected off Callahan's leg, not skate.

Brandons are back: Sidelined for almost a month, Brandon Dubinsky returned to the lineup Wednesday for the first time since suffering a right foot injury in Game 7 of the quarterfinals April 26. The 26-year-old forward played on a line with Anisimov and Callahan. Prust also came back after sitting out Game 4 while serving a one-game suspension for his elbow on Devils defenseman Anton Volchenkov in Game 3. John Mitchell and Steve Eminger were healthy scratches.

Up next: Devils versus Rangers, 8 p.m. ET Friday in Newark.

At a glance: After a tepid start to what was expected to be a nasty set between bitter rivals, the snarl came out in Game 4 as the Devils knotted the series with a 4-1 win against the Rangers. Tied at two games apiece, the Rangers and Devils clash in a pivotal Game 5 at Madison Square Garden Wednesday night. As Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur surmised following his team’s latest victory: “I think the best hockey is yet to come.”

Prayer for offense: When asked what he could do to get his top-six forwards producing again, coach John Tortorella offered up an unorthodox suggestion: “Pray.” Tortorella was joking, but the Rangers’ scoring woes are no laughing matter. Ryan Callahan, Marian Gaborik, Brad Richards and Carl Hagelin have only one goal between them this series, in which the Rangers have combined for only nine in total.

Opponent set: With Dustin Penner’s overtime game-winner Tuesday night, the Kings dispatched the Coyotes and punched their ticket to the Stanley Cup Finals. Now L.A. waits to see whether they’ll head to Manhattan or Newark for Game 1 next Wednesday.

Zach attack: Limited to one assist in the first three games of the series, Devils captain Zach Parise delivered a stellar three-point performance in the team’s 4-1 win against the Rangers Monday. The 27-year-old winger tallied two goals and recorded one assist in leading his team to a decisive series-tying victory.

Dubinsky back? : With the Rangers in need of a “jolt” to their lineup, Brandon Dubinsky may be ready to return. The 26-year-old forward is expected to be available for the first time since suffering a right foot injury in the series finale of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

Prust returns: After missing Game 4 while serving his one-game suspension for an elbow to Devils defenseman Anton Volchenkov in Game 3, Rangers tough guy Brandon Prust returns to the lineup. The gritty 28-year-old winger had previously played in all 82 regular-season and 17 playoff games for the Rangers this season.

Retaliation? Really? : Will the Devils be looking to retaliate for the punch that “stung” Brodeur in Game 4? Probably not, but given Mike Rupp’s brazen jab to his former teammate -- a blow that ignited a boisterous scrum on the ice and a war of words between the benches – New Jersey may be looking to rattle Vezina/Hart Trophy finalist Henrik Lundqvist just a little bit.

Playoff performer: Held without a goal in 82 regular-season games, Devils defenseman Bryce Salvador is making up for lost time with his ample contributions. The 36-year-old veteran has chipped in for three goals and seven assists this post-season and has four points (one goal, three assists) through the first four games of this series.

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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

At a glance: After the Rangers and Devils split the first two games at Madison Square Garden, the series heads to Newark for Game 3 on Saturday. The Devils outplayed the Rangers while securing 3-2 win in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals, but the Rangers are coming off a much-needed two days of rest.

Gaborik gaffe: Stapled to the bench for the majority of the third period, including the last 1:29 in regulation, Rangers sniper Marian Gaborik will have some extra motivation to perform. The 30-year-old winger said he has moved on from Wednesday's benching -- a result of poor play on the Devils' game-tying goal in the second period -- but how will he respond?

Formidable fourth line: A big part of the Devils' dynamic offensive attack? A pretty effective fourth line. New Jersey has received valuable contributions from the hard-checking energetic trio of Ryan Carter, Stephen Gionta and Steve Bernier. Carter scored the second-period equalizer in Game 2 that sent Gaborik to the sideline.

"C" needs "O": The catalyst for the Rangers' physical play, captain Ryan Callahan has done pretty much everything asked of him -- blocking shots, delivering hits, killing penalties -- except score. The 27-year-old spark plug has been limited to only three goals in 15 games this postseason and has not found the back of the net since May 2.

Battle of the best: The battle between future Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur and Vezina/Hart trophy finalist Henrik Lundqvist has been pretty even through the first pair of games. Brodeur has given up four goals total, Lundqvist three.

Saving grace: An Achilles heel for most of the regular season, the Rangers' power-play has delivered in the first two games of the best-of-seven set against the Devils. The Rangers tallied twice on the man-advantage Wednesday and once in Game 1 on Monday.

Despite the constant abuse he faces from Rangers fans, Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur has said he enjoys playing at Madison Square Garden.

But he's not too fond of the rink itself.

"It's a tough place to play," Brodeur said following the Devils' 3-2 victory over the Rangers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals on Wednesday night.

"There's so many bad bounces. The ice is not good, the boards are awful and the glass makes crazy bounces everywhere. In the second period, I think two or three just went right in front of my net. So mentally it's a tough game to play because you really have to look at the puck all game long."

• And about that penalty box door ...

Travis Zajac was probably the only one inside the arena who wasn't laughing after he took an interference penalty in the second period.

Zajac skated over to the penalty box to serve his two-minute minor, but the door wouldn't open.

The game was delayed for several minutes as a result.

At one point, Zajac sat in the home penalty box before workers -- after having tried to kick it in unsuccessfully -- finally got the away penalty box door open. Zajac tested to make sure the door would open once he finished serving his penalty. It did.

"Yeah, it slowed down a little bit of the game," Brodeur said. "I think the pace of the game. Again, things like that happen. You can't worry about it too much. Because it just happened that they scored probably in the next shift after we had the long wait. So it's not a fun thing, but it was sort of both teams."

• David Clarkson had the game-winning goal for the Devils in the third period. Four of his five career playoff goals have been game-winners, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

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.

Pre-lockout, the Devils became infamous for their success utilizing the neutral zone trap or “left-wing lock.”

Post-lockout, the Rangers have found success blocking shots in front of Henrik Lundqvist.

So has shot-blocking become the new version of the trap? The style of hockey that’s bad for the “brand-new wide-open” game overall but good for the teams that excel at it?

Possibly.

Just don’t ask Martin Brodeur.

“I’m the wrong guy to answer that question. We’re blamed for the trap. We were successful at it,” the Devils goaltender said Tuesday.

“I guess whatever brings success is what you need to do. I know it’s not the most exciting brand of hockey -- but it’s really effective. And they got in people’s heads by doing what they’re doing, and they’re tough to play against because of that.”

Don’t ask Devils coach Peter DeBoer either. He’s not going to make any excuses.

“Shot-blocking’s been around for 30 years,” said DeBoer, adding that he’s just trying to win hockey games. “Some teams do it better than others.”

The Rangers blocked 26 shots in their 3-0 victory over New Jersey in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals on Monday night. New York ranks second in the postseason with 293 blocked shots -- more than twice as many as the Devils (146, 15 in Game 1).

All season-long, the Rangers have clogged up the space around their net, daring shooters to fire from in front on of the blue-line.

“That’s their system. You guys know that. We have to get a better job of getting pucks through,” Andy Greene said.

Just how exactly do they do that?

“Finding lanes, moving the puck quickly and being in the right places,” DeBoer said.

Still, DeBoer thinks too much is being made of all the shot-blocking talk.

“It’s definitely not the story of the series,” DeBoer said. “They’re a good shot-blocking team. It’s something you have to deal with, but it’s not the story of the series.”

Yet, anyway.

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.

It's hard to imagine there wasn't at least a trace of irony for Martin Brodeur in answering questions about Rangers netminder Henrik Lundqvist Sunday on the eve of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Lundqvist has put together a career year as MVP of a top-seeded Rangers squad and earned nominations as both a Vezina and Hart Trophy finalist along the way, sure. But Brodeur, arguably the best goaltender of all time, has amassed three Stanley Cup Championships, 656 wins and a staggering 119 shutouts during his illustrious 18-year career. Oh, and four Vezina Trophies.

Regardless, the recently-turned-40 Brodeur gave credit to his cross-river rival, applauding the season Lundqvist has put together.

"He's a Vezina candidate. He's the one that's been -- I don't know -- he's unbelievable. He is lately. He's kind of the top goalie in the league right now," Brodeur said.

But with the accolades also comes the pressure, as Brodeur deftly alluded in Sunday's post-practice press conference.

"I think I was in that position once," Brodeur said. "Played against Patrick [Roy], played against Dominik Hasek. I played against all the guys that maybe, you know, the top years in their career, but for me it's kind of nice to be able to compete against them, regardless of what's going to happen."

"I'll do my best to try to match up, but it's going to be pretty hard," Brodeur continued. "He's a pretty good goalie."

Sincere flattery, or subtle gamesmanship?

Stay tuned as Brodeur and Lundqvist square off beginning Monday in Game 1 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden.

NEWARK, N.J. -- Martin Brodeur has yet to declare that he’s coming back for another season. But a day before he turns 40, the New Jersey Devils future Hall of Fame goaltender certainly sounds as though he’s leaning that way.

“I think so,” Brodeur replied Saturday when asked if he thinks he still has more years left in him. “I’m really enjoying this ride, regardless of what’s going to happen in the next month or two months. I enjoy coming to the rink and playing hockey, and I think I don’t wanna sit back five years from now and say I should’ve played one more [season].

“That decision will really come later on whether I’m going to [retire] or not. [But] as of now, I’m really enjoying myself and really liking [playing hockey].”

The 18-year veteran, who is in the final year of his contract and will become a free agent at season’s end, has been defying his age in the 2012 playoffs. In 10 starts, Brodeur is 6-3 with a 2.16 goals-against average, .917 save percentage and one shutout.

“In regular life, [40] is [young],” said Brodeur, the NHL’s all-time winningest netminder. “Hockey is just a game. I don’t know why they associate age with it all the time. ... It is what it is. It’s been a good ride and I don’t think that extra day [with me being 40] makes a big difference.”

Devils coach Peter DeBoer has been impressed at how well Brodeur has played.

“From a guy that’s in his 40s, he looks a lot better than I do,” DeBoer said. “There are a lot of games on that body and he looks like he’s not done yet. It looks like he has years left.”

Brodeur made his professional debut with the Devils on March 26, 1992. At that time, he couldn’t have fathomed capturing Stanley Cup championships and garnering awards and other accolades.

“I was just hoping to play one game in the NHL, let alone for this long,” Brodeur said. “So I definitely feel fortunate about everything that’s happened to me and being able to compete at the highest level at my age, and being healthy for most of the ride.

“You never expect things like that. If somebody says, ‘Oh, yeah. I’m 18 years old, yeah, I know what’ I’m gonna do ...’ That doesn’t happen. There [are] too many things that can go wrong and different routes that could make you have a different ending.”

Brodeur doesn’t think his style has changed much over the years. He’s still one of the only hybrid (more standup than butterfly) goaltenders left in an always evolving game.

He still loves to come out of his crease and handle the puck, something he’s always excelled in. Brodeur says he’s tried to be more patient in that particular aspect of his game, though, but sometimes it gets the best of him.

“He’s had to take care of himself and get a little bit more rest,” DeBoer said. “I think that’s been critical.”

Brodeur is 1-2 in playoff games on his birthday. Sunday night’s Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Philadelphia Flyers will mark his first postseason birthday start at home.

Last season, Brodeur spent his 39th birthday in Florida since the Devils didn’t qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 1995-96.

“It was nice, you get to see your family,” he said.

On Sunday night, though, Brodeur doesn’t play on celebrating the big “4-0” until he gets home.

So what does he want for his birthday?

“Obviously, to beat the Flyers, that’s for sure,” he replied.

Recap | Box score | Photos

WHAT IT MEANS: There will be a Game 7.

Travis Zajac scored 5:39 into overtime and the Devils evened their best-of-seven first-round series with the Panthers at three games apiece, beating Florida 3-2 in Game 6 on Tuesday night in front of a sellout crowd at Prudential Center.

The Devils are now 5-3 in Game 6s all time when trailing 3-2. They are 2-2 in ensuing Game 7s.

MARTY! MARTY! Martin Brodeur wasn't tested often, but when he was, he came up big. His best save of the night came with 2:31 remaining in regulation, when he robbed Mikael Samuelsson with his pads to send the game into overtime. Brodeur wound up making 14 saves.

GOALVALCHUK: Ilya Kovalchuk has been invisible for parts of this series. But the superstar left winger wasn't invisible on Tuesday night. At 15:39 of the second period, Kovalchuk snuck in from the left side, went backdoor and buried Zajac's pass from behind the net at the left post. It was his third goal of playoffs, came on the power play and gave New Jersey a 2-0 lead.

Kovalchuk also fed a cutting Zajac for the winner at 5:39 of the extra session. It was Zajac's third goal of the series.

BERN BABY, BERN: Steve Bernier struck first for the Devils with 3:23 left in the first period. After Peter Harrold kept the puck in at the point, the defenseman took a shot that was deflected on goal by Ryan Carter from the slot. Bernier corralled the rebound and threw the puck back toward the net from a sharp angle near the red line. It trickled under Scott Clemmensen (39 saves), giving New Jersey a 1-0 lead. The Devils outshot the Panthers 13-6 in the opening frame.

COMEBACK KIDS: The Devils outshot the Panthers 16-4 in the second period, but Florida tied the game on its first two shots of the frame. Kris Versteeg (third goal) scored from the high slot to bring the Panthers within a goal. Sean Bergenheim (third) knotted things at 2 when he buried a rebound at the right post. Bergenheim appeared to take down Kovalchuk at the other end of the ice, but no call was made. The Panthers got a 4-on-2 odd-man rush the other way, which led to the left winger’s tying tally.

SAVIOR: The Devils nearly had a 3-0 lead at 5:35 of the second, but Clemmensen reached back to stop the puck just short of the goal line after David Clarkson's shot hopped over his stick. The former Devils netminder also robbed Alexei Ponikarovsky on the doorstep with a pad save to keep things tied midway through the third. Clemmensen had 34 saves in the first 60 minutes.

SHORTHANDED: The Panthers were without power-play quarterback Jason Garrison and No. 1 goaltender Jose Theodore due to injuries.

UP NEXT: Game 7, Thursday night at BankAtlantic Arena in Sunrise, Fla.