As we approach the 2023 NHL playoffs, it’s impossible not to reflect on the storied rivalry between the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers. These two teams have faced off in the postseason numerous times over the years, with each series bringing its own share of drama and excitement.
The Devils and Rangers first met in the playoffs in 1992, with the Rangers ultimately coming out on top in a hard-fought seven-game series. The following year, the Devils got their revenge, defeating the Rangers in five games en route to their first-ever Stanley Cup appearance.
The two teams would meet again in the playoffs in 1994, in what is perhaps the most memorable series between the two rivals. The Rangers, led by Mark Messier, defeated the Devils in a thrilling seven-game series that included a double-overtime victory in Game 7. The Rangers would go on to win the Stanley Cup that year, ending a 54-year championship drought.
The Devils and Rangers would meet twice more in the playoffs in the 1990s, with the Devils winning both series. In 1997, they defeated the Rangers in five games before going on to win their second Stanley Cup. In 1998, they swept the Rangers in four games before falling to the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup Final.
The rivalry between these two teams continued into the 2000s, with the Devils and Rangers meeting in the playoffs three more times. In 2006, the Rangers defeated the Devils in a thrilling seven-game series that included four overtime games. The Devils would get their revenge in 2008, defeating the Rangers in five games en route to their fourth Stanley Cup appearance. They would meet again in 2012, with the Devils winning in six games before falling to the Los Angeles Kings in the Stanley Cup Final.
As we look ahead to the 2023 playoffs, it’s unclear whether the Devils and Rangers will meet again. Both teams have struggled in recent years, with the Devils missing the playoffs in each of the past three seasons and the Rangers failing to advance past the second round since their Stanley Cup victory in 1994.
Regardless of whether these two teams meet again in the postseason, the Devils-Rangers rivalry will always be one of the most intense and exciting in NHL history. From the early battles in the 1990s to the unforgettable series in 1994 and beyond, these two teams have provided fans with some of the most memorable moments in playoff history.
