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On May 25, 1994, Mark Messier guaranteed victory for his Rangers in a must-win game over the Devils in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals. That promise was fulfilled with his hat trick in one of the most iconic performances in the history of sports.

NEWARK, N.J. -- With the ghosts of the 1994 Eastern Conference finals dragging their chains around the edges of the current conference finals between longtime rivals the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils, Friday's Game 6 won’t want for drama.

“Where else would you rather be? I don’t think anyone predicted at the start of the season that we would have a chance to play a home game to move on to the Stanley Cup finals,” New Jersey head coach Pete DeBoer said. "We’re in a great spot. We worked awfully hard to get to this point, and where else would you want to be?”

His counterpart, John Tortorella, has seen his team win three elimination games already this spring and remains confident that Game 6 will be a fourth, even though he feels the Rangers might have lost a bit of their focus earlier in this series.

“I thought we lost ourselves a little bit earlier in this series,” Tortorella said. "I think we have a really good mindset right now. I think our team really embraces a challenge.”

Here’s a look at a few players whose presence might help create some fresh history in Game 6:

New York Rangers

Chris Kreider: Remember when a young Alexei Kovalev was such a dynamic part of the Rangers' Cup run in 1994, registering 21 points in 23 postseason games in his first NHL playoff action? Well, we’re not trying to compare collegiate star Chris Kreider to the talented Russian, but Kreider’s impact has been significant this spring. The 19th overall pick in the 2009 draft has five postseason goals and two assists, with two of his goals counting as game winners. Only Brad Richards, with six, has more playoff goals for the Rangers. In the conference finals, Kreider is tied for the team lead with four points. He began Game 5 playing with fellow rookie Carl Hagelin and Richards. Could he be destined for hero status in Game 6?

Brad Richards: No one in the Rangers' dressing room was taking on the Mark Messier role of ’94 and predicting a Rangers victory. But if there is one guy in the locker room who is capable of delivering on such a promise, it would be Richards, a playoff MVP in 2004. Although his game has been up-and-down this series -- he has not scored and added just three assists -- he won a crucial draw to set up the winner in Game 3 and has been involved in virtually every crucial moment in the Rangers' postseason. Tortorella predicted that Richards would play his best game Friday night, and if he does, there’s a solid chance we will return to Madison Square Garden on Sunday night for Game 7.

Henrik Lundqvist: In the three elimination games in which Henrik Lundqvist has played for the Rangers this spring, he has allowed just four goals on 77 shots. He was spectacular in the latter stages of Game 7 against the Ottawa Senators in the first round and withstood a barrage of shots in the second period of Game 7 against the Washington Capitals. He is, however, coming off a tepid performance in Game 5, when he allowed four goals on just 16 shots, including three goals on the first five shots he faced.

“We’re not expecting that again," DeBoer said. "We expect him to have his best game of the series." Playing against longtime nemesis Martin Brodeur in this game -- and a potential Game 7 -- will be a defining moment for Lundqvist.

"You know, I don't think about the last game," Lundqvist said. “During the playoffs, you don't look behind you. You always look forward to the next game. And whatever happens, the last game doesn't really matter.

"That's the way I approach it. But I think a lot of guys do the same thing. When you play, you can't think about what's going to happen, win or lose. You just have to go out there and focus on your job. You play well when you do that."

New Jersey Devils

Stephen Gionta: We could have simply included the entire fourth line of the New Jersey Devils given how dynamic the trio of Gionta, Ryan Carter and Steve Bernier has been throughout the playoffs. In this series, they have three goals and three assists, including Carter’s game winner in Game 5 set up by Gionta, who also chipped in the Devils' first goal of the game. Their continued hard work in forechecking the Rangers, drawing penalties and chipping in offense has the potential again to be a game-changer Friday night.

“You’re one win away from the final, and we know we’re going to get their best effort,” Gionta told ESPN.com on Friday. “If we stick to our game plan, I think our chances are pretty good.”

Bryce Salvador: Only Zach Parise, who has three goals and three assists in the conference finals, has more points than veteran defender Salvador's one goal and four assists. His 11 postseason points are tied for the league lead among defensemen. Beyond that, he continues to provide the kind of stability in the defensive zone that is crucial to high-pressure games like the one about to unfold Friday evening. He also leads the Devils with a plus-10 rating.

Ilya Kovalchuk: If there was a perception that Kovalchuk was more a "me" guy than a "team" guy, it certainly has been dispelled this season and in particular this spring, as he has battled through a sore back to make key plays at key times. He hasn’t been perfect. He still has the propensity for the careless pass, and there are times he has appeared out of sync. But there he was in Game 5, the first guy on the forecheck late in the third period, making a key play as Carter scored the winner with less than five minutes to play in regulation.

“I’ve said from day one he’s been all in, team first, great teammate,” DeBoer said. “We wouldn’t be here without him.”

Kovalchuk has one of two power-play goals scored by the Devils in this series and insisted he didn’t do anything special on the game winner Wednesday.

“It’s all in the time, now it’s all those little plays that make a big difference, and I was fortunate I ended up in that situation, and I just did exactly what everybody else will do," Kovalchuk said. "That’s what Pete wants us to do, first guy be very aggressive and put the pressure on their D, so that’s what I did."

ESPNNewYork.com's Katie Strang, ESPN New York 98.7 FM's Don La Greca and ESPN NHL analyst Barry Melrose all say goaltending is the main factor in Friday's Game 6.

First Strike Capability: The Rangers face elimination heading into Friday's Game 6. A key for New York this postseason has been scoring first. From Elias: Starting with Game 7 against Ottawa, the Rangers have won all seven games in which they scored first and lost all six games in which their opponent scored first. The Rangers have scored only four first-period goals in their last 15 games.

Ryan Carter’s goal with 4:24 left in the third period snapped a 3–3 tie and proved to be the game-winner in the Devils’ 5–3 victory over the Rangers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals. It was only the fourth time in this year’s playoffs that a player scored a tiebreaking goal in the last five minutes of the third period. The three other such goals, all in the first round, were scored by the Kings’ Dustin Penner, the Bruins’ Zdeno Chara and the Capitals’ Troy Brouwer.

Peter DeBoer and John Tortorella share their thoughts on Game 5 and look ahead to their next meeting.

Rangers coach John Tortorella and left winger Mike Rupp discuss the importance of getting out to a good start in Game 5 against the Devils.

NEWARK, N.J. -- He is 36 years old and still among the last of the New Jersey Devils to come in from the morning skate.

Even though Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals looms a few hours in the distance, Patrik Elias is enjoying watching the coaches and extra players playing a little 3-on-3 after the morning skate.

Elias has known nothing else in his NHL life but the New Jersey Devils, a life that began with one game during the 1995-96 season and has gone on to include two Stanley Cup wins and another trip to the finals. He was named to the NHL’s all-rookie team and was an NHL first team All-Star in 2001.

He is back again, two wins from another trip to the finals. And if you expected someone who has seen it all while wearing the Devils jersey to be a little immune to all of the hoopla and the buzz, you would be disappointed.

Instead, Elias seems invigorated by it all.

“You have guys that have never been in this situation, this far, so you see the excitement here,” Elias said Wednesday. "You see, we feel like we are a good enough team to give ourselves a chance each night and it’s fun to watch. For me, even being in the third round, conference finals, you know you haven’t been here for a while so it’s great -- it’s great to experience that again.

“Every year is different, every round is different, every playoffs is different. This is a good group of guys and we’re enjoying just playing for each other."

Although Elias has just five points this spring and has gone six straight games without registering a point, he seems nonplussed.

“We’re winning, so that’s the main thing,” he said.

Certainly coach Pete DeBoer seems to have no concerns about the lack of offensive production from the veteran who moved over to left wing last game, playing with Ilya Kovalchuk and rookie Adam Henrique.

In fact, DeBoer credits Elias with being a key part of the Devils’ success all season.

“Because he’s been around, he’s been in every situation imaginable, there’s nothing that has come up this year that he hasn’t been through before. He’s got a coaching mind in the dressing room for us,” DeBoer said.

“In all honesty, it was critical that he bought into what we were selling as a coaching staff early so it would translate to the room. Probably him more than anybody, because he had played here for so long and won with an obviously different style, it was critical that we got him and Marty to buy in, and he was all-in from day one."

Elias and netminder Martin Brodeur are the last two holdovers from the Devils' glory days, and while Elias’ profile externally might be significantly lower, it is not so in the locker room.

“He’s very vocal in this room. When we’re down a goal and going into the third, he’s always one of the guys that speaks up and tells us just to keep pushing, keep doing the same things,” said forward David Clarkson.

"I haven’t played with a guy that sees the ice as well as Patty does sometimes. It’s amazing some of the plays he makes out there sometimes. I think on a leadership role, he’s really been a key part of why we’re here today."

Defenseman Marek Zidlicky has known Elias since they were teens in the Czech Republic and has played internationally with him over the years. He was excited at the prospect of joining his longtime friend when he was traded by the Minnesota Wild to New Jersey at the trade deadline this season.

"I think he’s legendary. He’s played here his whole career and he’s a pretty good player, very good guy, he’d do anything for the team," Zidlicky said.

Elias and Brodeur are anomalies, of course, choosing to stay their entire careers with one franchise, and for teammates it is something that inspires tremendous respect.

“I think it’s impressive,” Clarkson said. "Especially in today’s game, players move around and are in different places, and I think anytime you’re in one team for a long time, there’s a reason for it. It’s not just because they keep throwing contracts at you; there’s a reason why you’re there. I think being successful, him being successful and making this team successful is part of the reason he’s been here so long."

Elias is asked about his first playoff experience, which would have been in the spring of 1997, and laughs.

“Rich, what do I remember?” he said, nodding to longtime beat writer Rich Chere.

“I scored on Jocelyn Thibault my first playoff game,” Elias said, but admits he initially thought it was Jose Theodore until Chere checked and got it right.

“Hey, I was close enough. It was against Montreal,” he said.

Still, Elias isn’t one for wandering down memory lane. Not just yet.

”I’m still going. I’m still looking forward. It’s not time for me to look back yet,” he said.

From the official NHL release:

NEW YORK (May 22, 2012) – The National Hockey League announced today the schedule for the 2012 Stanley Cup Final.

Based on their superior regular-season point totals, either the New York Rangers or the New Jersey Devils will host Games One and Two of the best-of-seven Final, as well as Games Five and Seven. Games Three and Four will be hosted by the Western Conference champion, either the Phoenix Coyotes or the Los Angeles Kings, as well as Game Six.

In the U.S., NBC will broadcast Games One and Two and, if necessary, Games Five through Seven of the Final, while NBC Sports Network will telecast Games Three and Four. In Canada, CBC and RDS will televise the entire series. All games also will be carried on Sirius XM Satellite Radio.

NHL Network, the League's 24-hour, all-access pass to the most comprehensive hockey coverage, will feature special programming surrounding the Stanley Cup Final. NHL.com will continue to provide extensive digital coverage.

2012 Stanley Cup Final Schedule

Game Date Time (ET) Eastern Champion vs. Western Champion Networks
Game 1 Wed., May 30 8 p.m. Western Champion at Eastern Champion NBC, CBC, RDS

Game 2 Sat., June 2 8 p.m. Western Champion at Eastern Champion NBC, CBC, RDS

Game 3 Mon., June 4 8 p.m. Eastern Champion at Western Champion NBCSN, CBC, RDS

Game 4 Wed., June 6 8 p.m. Eastern Champion at Western Champion NBCSN, CBC, RDS

*Game 5 Sat., June 9 8 p.m. Western Champion at Eastern Champion NBC, CBC, RDS

*Game 6 Mon., June 11 8 p.m. Eastern Champion at Western Champion NBC, CBC, RDS

*Game 7 Wed., June 13 8 p.m. Western Champion at Eastern Champion NBC, CBC, RDS

Barry Melrose breaks down the Devils' 4-1 win over the Rangers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals.

• Defenseman Bryce Salvador scored one goal and assisted on another in the Devils' 4-1 win in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals. Salvador scored no goals and recorded only nine assists while playing in all 82 games for the Devils this season but he's tallied 10 points in 16 playoff games this year (three goals, seven assists). That's a Stanley Cup record for most points in one playoff year by a player who appeared in at least 70 games and registered nine or fewer points during the preceding regular season. The previous record was eight points by Panthers defenseman Paul Laus in 1996 (nine points in 78 regular-season games).

Zach Parise is offensive: The Devils winger and captain found his range and can now stop answering questions about why he hasn't scored. The guy is dragging his team deeper and deeper into the playoffs, and making it tougher for him not to be re-signed by the Devils in the summer. And I wrote that before he scored his no-look empty-netter.

Wait, what was that all of a sudden? It had been so long since there was playoff ugliness that it made you forget how brutal the opening round was for shenanigans. Mike Rupp's drive-by, twitch-flick left arm to Martin Brodeur after the whistle was, ahem, a throwback. Who did Rupp think he was with such a bush move? Matt Carkner?

The new doghouse: Marian Gaborik was moved from the doghouse to make room for puck-moving defenseman Michael Del Zotto, who sat on the bench for much of the second after some boneheaded giveaways and general waving-stick-checking in the first.

You know what happens when you assume: Sure, but if the Rangers and Devils go seven -- as has been the Rangers' tendency in these playoffs and looks good as of this writing -- the Kings will be favored come the Stanley Cup finals. Not that the Coyotes are going to be eliminated Tuesday night, because that would be assuming. And not only is assuming rude, but it's also bad journalistic practice. But, still.

Imitation, flattery, etc.: It seems like when the Rangers are beaten in these playoffs, it's by teams that adapt a form of their strategy. In the first round, it was when the Senators got physical and pushed back as hard as the Rangers were pushing. In the second round, it was when the Capitals committed to blocking shots, usually the Rangers' domain. On Monday night, in Game 4, the Devils took the battle to the front of the net, like the Rangers had been doing in previous outings.

Goal Deficiency: The Rangers have reached four goals in a game just once this postseason. Since the NHL expansion of 1967-68, no team has advanced to the Stanley Cup finals without reaching the four-goal plateau at least twice. The last time it happened was 1967, when both Montreal and Toronto reached the finals, but only had to play one series to get there.

NEWARK, N.J. -- As the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers elevate the level of rhetoric -- if not their downright dislike for each other -- in their Eastern Conference finals, both teams will be introducing lineup changes that could have a significant impact on the outcome in Game 4 on Monday night.

In the 48 hours since the Rangers took a 2-1 series lead with their second 3-0 whitewashing of the Devils on Saturday afternoon, Rangers head coach John Tortorella took issue with what he believed to be the dirty play of the Devils, their propensity for selling calls and illegal picks on the power play.

New Jersey head coach Pete DeBoer simply said the allegations were “comical.”

The Rangers also found out they will be without the services of gritty forward Brandon Prust, who was suspended for one game for an elbow to the head of Anton Volchenkov in Game 3. The play went unpenalized on the ice but was reviewed by league disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan after the fact and announced Sunday afternoon.

Prust averages 1:50 a night in penalty-killing duty for a Rangers unit that has limited the Devils to just one goal on 12 opportunities in this series. That represents the fourth-highest amount of ice time per game among penalty-killing Rangers forwards. It is not overstating the matter to suggest that the Devils’ inability to solve the Rangers and specifically netminder Henrik Lundqvist with the man advantage has been the single biggest factor thus far in the series.

Brandon Dubinsky was a candidate to move into Prust’s slot, but an injury to his right foot in Game 7 of the Rangers’ first-round series against the Ottawa Senators will keep him out again Monday night. That means defenseman Stu Bickel will play in Game 4.

The Devils, meanwhile, will insert young center Jacob Josefson into the lineup in the place of the ineffective Petr Sykora. Josefson, the 20th overall pick in the 2009 draft, will be seeing his first-ever NHL playoff action after he suffered a broken wrist late in the regular season. This followed an earlier broken right clavicle that saw him miss 37 games. He registered nine points in 41 games but did have two goals and an assist in his last six games.

But when the 21-year-old has played, he has shown skill and speed that could benefit a lineup that has struggled to score even though the Devils have enjoyed better chances overall through the first three games of the series.

"I had a brief conversation with him yesterday. Basically, just 'Get in, bring us some energy, play like you did the last three, four weeks of the season.' He's had a tough year between the injuries and the adversity, really over the last two years,” DeBoer said after the Devils’ optional skate Monday morning.

"And I really felt the last two, three weeks of the season he had refound his game and his confidence. And if we can get a version of that player in the lineup tonight, we'll be a better team,” the coach said.

Based on practice lines, it appears Josefson will play with David Clarkson and Alexei Ponikarovsky.

"You know what, he’s a great kid who’s been through a lot in the last couple of years with injuries,” Clarkson said. "You see a kid go through those ups and downs and the way he handles them. He comes back today, I don’t know if you’ve spoken to him, but he’s like a little kid in here. He’s so excited. It’s his playoff game, so it’s a great feeling."

“Great skater, great young kid, so it’s nice for him to get that chance,” Clarkson said.

Josefson admitted it’s been both frustrating and exciting to be on the sidelines during the Devils’ playoff run.

“Kind of both. Of course, it’s frustrating to not be playing but it’s a great experience to sit on the side too and watch and learn a little bit,” he said Monday morning. "The team has been playing great and it’s been fun to watch, but of course you want to be out there and play."

Laura Behnke catches up with Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh to discuss a big Game 3 win, the sparkling play of Henrik Lundqvist, and the big lift provided by rookie Chris Kreider.