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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.

A little more than one month ago, the Rangers found themselves in this same spot, trailing 3-2 in a series and having to hit the road for a do-or-die Game 6. They would beat Ottawa 3-2 to even the series, and went on to vanquish the Senators in Game 7 at Madison Square Garden.

The Rangers believe that experience of winning an elimination game on the road will help them as they prepare to visit the Devils on Friday for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Rangers are 3-0 when facing elimination in the playoffs.

"We've been in this situation in the Ottawa series. We can draw off that experience, just the feelings going into the game," captain Ryan Callahan said after the team's practice at Madison Square Garden. "Try to stay even-keeled about it and go into an opposing building and win one game and try to get back here to the Garden."

In the quarterfinals, the Rangers lost 2-0 in Game 5 to the Senators, forcing them to the brink of elimination. Center Brad Richards called it a "tough day" to lose at home in Game 5.

Richards said the team was looser during its practice Thursday than when it prepared to travel to Ottawa.

"That's how you grow. You build on everything you've done through your career and the different games you've played in," Richards said. "We've been fortunate to get a lot of those games this year already."

In addition to the Game 6 win against Ottawa, the Rangers are also 2-0 in Game 7s this postseason, knocking off Ottawa and Washington in a pair of 2-1 games. Head coach John Tortorella said his team is a good group that "stays with it" and doesn't panic. He pointed to the team climbing out of a 3-0 deficit Wednesday night as an example.

Tortorella believes the experience of playing in those elimination games is invaluable.

"These are all situations you look at as an organization as far as what guys are in these situations," Tortorella said. "The more you're in it and the more situations you go through, the better. That's how you gain experience."

The prevailing thought around the Rangers was they played their best game of the series against the Devils on Wednesday. While that might be a good sign heading into the most critical game yet, the team still lost.

The Rangers realize they're going to have to kick it up another notch -- like they did in Ottawa on April 23 -- if they want to survive for at least one more game.

Said Callahan: "They're going to be a desperate team to clinch on their home ice and we have to find that next level and that extra desperation, and it's obviously a huge game."

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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.

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.

NEWARK, N.J. -- The six-game goal drought that followed captain Ryan Callahan into Game 3 must have weighed a little heavier in the second period.

With a Grade A opportunity at the left post, Callahan was robbed by a diving Martin Brodeur, who looked half his 40 years in stymying the struggling spark plug and preserving the scoreless tie 4:16 into play.

Callahan never beat Brodeur on Saturday, but he did halt his skid with an empty-net goal scored with 2:13 left in the third. Burying a rebound from Brian Boyle's initial attempt that glanced off the end-boards, Callahan gathered with teammates for a subdued celebration that seemed more relief than elation.

Regardless of how it came, Callahan seemed relieved at to get himself back on the scoresheet.

"It's good to get that last one," he said, before taking a crack at himself. "Now I've got to just try to do it with the goalie in there."

Having witnessed Callahan's torment during a dry spell that has spanned almost the entire postseason -- only four goals and three assists in 16 games -- teammate Brad Richards anticipates a more carefree captain.

"It's amazing what goals can do, no matter how they’re scored,” said Richards, whose faceoff win set up the Rangers' first goal of the game. "He's the captain of our team. He takes everything very hard if we lose. He took the last game very hard and he wants to be part of it.

"You forget sometimes how valuable he is and what he does all over the rest of the ice. He wants to do everything," Richards continued. "We all were happy when we saw that. That will hopefully take a little pressure off him."

While Callahan never ceases to set the tone of the team's signature hard-nosed play -- blocking shots, crushing opponents with checks and killing penalties -- he couldn't escape the expectations of not chipping in offensively.

His torment was obvious to everyone around him.

"It's killing him. He's not helping us a whole bunch offensively. It's killing him. But he continues to do those other things," coach John Tortorella said.

Maybe, Tortorella surmised, the late-game marker will turn things around.

"You never know. You get an open-net goal like that, you never know what that does for you. I've seen it before. A guy takes off," he said. "That's what we're hoping will happen with him."

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

Ryan Callahan hopes he can start filling the stat sheet.

The Rangers' captain has just six points in 16 playoff games, notching three goals and three assists. He last scored a goal in Game 4 against Washington, and his last assist came in Game 5 of that series. In the first two games against the Devils, he has just two shots on goal.

While the team has struggled collectively on offense, Callahan wants to break out.

"It's tough, I want to contribute more offensively, there's no secret to that," Callahan said Friday. "I think the big thing for me is concentration on the other parts of my game right now and making sure I'm not cheating to create an opportunity or jumping too early. Just keep working and it will come. This is a tough time of year to be struggling offensively but I have to keep with it and keep going."

Callahan, who scored 29 goals and tallied 25 assists during the regular season, said he doesn't want to try to think too much about his struggles. He talked about placing himself in front of the net in hopes of a "greasy" goal. He's scored just one goal in the past 12 games.

The forward wants to shoot the puck more, without compromising the other facets of his game. Callahan mentioned being able to block shots and being responsible in the defensive zone.

"I think sometimes when guys are struggling to score they get away from the other parts and try to cheat too much and that's going to do nothing but hurt you," Callahan said. "I have to stick with it and keep going and eventually it's going to break here. It's just a matter of time."

POWER PLAY: The Rangers have scored 11 of their 34 playoffs goals on the power play, but head coach John Tortorella has not been impressed. The Rangers are just 2-for-8 against the Devils, but those two goals are 40 percent of their offense in the series.

"I think it's been pretty crappy at times," Tortorella said. "The power play is a funny thing. Special teams are a funny thing, even when there are struggles sometimes you find a way. Sometimes when you move the puck well and it's working, you don’t score. We scored a couple obviously and we've got to come behind that with some 5-on-5 goals."

DUBINSKY ON ICE: Forward Brandon Dubinsky skated Friday for the first time since suffering a right-foot injury in Game 7 against Ottawa on April 26. He wore a non-contact jersey and did not practice with the team. Tortorella gave no indication that Dubinsky is close to returning to the team. The Ranges face the Devils in Game 3 on Saturday.

"No update," Tortorella said. "He was able to get on the ice but other than that there's no other update."

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.

NEW YORK -- Wednesday presents the Rangers with an opportunity that they have yet to seize this postseason. Throughout a grueling first two rounds, the Rangers gave back momentum just as easily as they gained it, failing to capture a commanding two-game series lead.

Following a victory against the Devils in Game 1 -- one in which they were outplayed for significant stretches yet still escaped with a win -- the Rangers have the chance to rectify that Wednesday.

"We were talking about it today in our meeting when were watching video," defenseman Ryan McDonagh explained at the podium of Tuesday's media session with reporters. "We don't play a great game, but we find a way to win in the third period there, getting through some of their surges. You start the series 1-nothing and you want to get a hold of the series in the next game.

"It's a huge opportunity. We haven't done it before; it's made it a tougher road. It would be nice to, in a sense, make a stand on home ice and make that last win mean that much more."

Little has come easy for the Rangers in the first month of postseason play and, as the Devils' relentless forechecking effort and tenacious offensive pressure displayed, they can't expect anything different from this series.

But they can assert control against their Hudson River rivals in a way they couldn't against their first- and second-round opponents, Ottawa and Washington. The top-seeded Rangers jumped out to a 1-0 series lead in both those matchups and surrendered the following game. The pingpong of momentum didn't end there; the team was extended to seven games in both sets.

"The last two series we've kind of let Game 2 slip away from us. We've got to make sure we're ready," said captain Ryan Callahan.

Given the way the Rangers play, grinding teams down versus dominating them, a 2-0 series lead wouldn't necessarily be comfortable. But it would provide breathing room for a team that has had next to none since the regular season.

"It'd be really good. The last two rounds ... it's been back and forth," Callahan said. "We haven't had a two-game lead yet. In this type of playoffs, it's obviously important to get that. We're putting a lot of emphasis in tomorrow's game and trying to get that two-game lead."

The Rangers' inability to impose their control over any series thus far has also been a reflection of some tough opponents. The Senators bruised their way into the series in the quarterfinals, and the Capitals gave them a taste of their own hard-hitting, shot-blocking style of play in the semis. By contrast, the Devils present perhaps the most offensively balanced and aggressive foe.

"You need to give the other teams credit," Ruslan Fedotenko told ESPNNewYork.com. "We're not playing some pee-wee bantam teams. If [the series] were 4-0, 4-1, people wouldn't be watching."

Everyone will be watching Wednesday, as the Rangers try to chart a different course than in series past.

"I think we have to have that mindset of we gotta be desperate. We gotta try to win our battles," Callahan said. "If we do that, we give ourselves the best chance."

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.

By now, many of you have run across this stat: No team since 1987 (when the playoffs switched to a seven-game series format) has gone on to win the Stanley Cup after playing 14 games in the first two rounds.

Beginning Monday, the Rangers will try to be the first.

In less than 48 hours, New York will host the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference Finals -- a Hudson River Clash that marks the third playoff meeting between the two teams since the lockout.

Whereas the sixth-seeded Devils knocked off the Flyers in five games, the Rangers required seven to dispose of the pesky Washington Capitals. But don't even think of uttering the "F" word: fatigue.

"No challenge," defenseman Michael Del Zotto said when asked if the Devils have an advantage given the rest they've enjoyed since their semifinal victory. "We're all in great shape here. 14 games, we played 82 in the [regular] season]. It's not a big deal. We're ready to get back to work Monday and everyone's excited."

Captain Ryan Callahan said the team will take one night to relish the victory before hitting the re-set button and re-adjusting their sights on their Atlantic Division rivals.

"We''ll enjoy this tonight," Callahan said. "But tomorrow we gotta get focused again to play Monday."

The Rangers have been here before.

A little over two weeks ago, the team hosted the Ottawa Senators in a make-or-break Game 7 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. This time, it will be the seventh-seeded Washington Capitals looking to knock off the Rangers on Saturday at Madison Square Garden.

"We know what to expect," captain Ryan Callahan said. "You realize how big the game is and how every little play matters."

In a series with little leeway in terms of scoring chances, open ice space and margin for error, the Rangers can expect the finale to follow suit.

But if that's what they can expect, here's what they can hope for:

Offense.

Of the teams still standing in the playoffs, the Rangers average the fewest goals per game -- a paltry 2.08 -- giving Hart and Vezina trophies finalist Henrik Lundqvist no cushion for anything but a superior effort.

"They've been playing pretty tight in their own end. It's tough for us to create scoring chances," Lundqvist said. "I hope that changes [Saturday] and we come out and play our best game of the year."

The Rangers have managed only 13 goals in six games against rookie netminder Braden Holtby and his stingy Capitals squad. And as much as the power play has underperformed of late (0-for-5 in Game 6, including a woefully disappointing four-minute opportunity), their even-strength production hasn't been much better.

The Rangers have been held without a true 5-on-5 goal in each of the past two games -- both markers in a stunning Game 5 comeback came on the power play; Marian Gaborik's late goal in Game 6 was scored with Lundqvist pulled for an extra attacker.

In practice Friday, rookie Chris Kreider and center Derek Stepan were promoted to the second line with Callahan, presumably a move to give the offense a jolt.

Despite personnel changes, alternate captain Brad Richards said the Rangers won't modify the team's overall approach.

"If we win 1-nothing it's the same as winning 5-1. We'd like to go out and score two or three in the first [period], but you play the game the way it's being played," he said. "We're not going to abandon our structure just because people are writing about lack of scoring. We've just got to win a game."

Surrendering only 13 goals in the six games of the series, Holtby doesn't seem to be fazed by much. With injuries to Washington's Tomas Vokoun and Michal Neuvirth, he transitioned into the Capitals' starting job with relative ease. Leading the Capitals past the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins and extending the Rangers to a seventh game, Holtby boasts a .935 save percentage and 1.95 goals-against average. Even in the wake of a life-altering event -- Holtby and his fiancée, Brandi, welcomed the birth of their first son Thursday -- he doesn’t appear to be a player who wilts under the spotlight.

The Rangers hope to change that Saturday.

"He's pretty calm back there, he's positionally sound. He's a good goalie, there's no questioning that," Callahan said. "We just have to continue to work and believe and get some shots [on net]."

To say Caps goaltender Braden Holtby has experienced a lot in the past month would be an understatement.

Thrust into the starting job with injuries to Washington's top two netminders, Tomas Vokoun and Michal Neuvirth, the 22-year-old rookie led the Caps to a first-round upset against the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins. Surrendering only 13 goals in six games of Washington's second-round set against the Rangers, Holtby faces another Game 7 Saturday at Madison Square Garden.

Oh, and if that wasn't enough to fray anyone's nerves, he is a new father. On Thursday, Holtby and fiancée Brandi celebrated the birth of their first son, Benjamin Hunter Holtby.

"It was planned so it would be the least amount of a distraction to our team as possible," Holtby told reporters Friday. "It was a great day. Mom and baby are doing great. But now I'm focusing on hockey."

If the first month of the playoffs have been any indication, very little has been able to faze Holtby. The Rangers will try to change that Saturday.

"He's pretty calm back there, he's positionally sound. He's a good goalie, there's no questioning that," said Rangers captain Ryan Callahan. "We just have to continue to work and believe and get some shots [on net]."