If anyone understands the Devils’ place as they embark on their first playoff collection since 2018, it’s the Rangers, who are actually tasked with squashing the NHL’s team-of-the-season within the identify of pursuing their very own Stanley Cup aspirations. 

That’s the reason the Rangers ought to have the ability to look previous the notion that their edge in postseason expertise over the Devils means one thing. The narrative was the identical for the Rangers final season, and their conference-final end had the final phrase. 

It’s true, the Rangers, aided by the acquisition of established postseason gamers Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane, know what lies forward. They’ve a recent understanding of what it can take to not solely get again to the place they completed final yr, but in addition to go additional. 

That’s what’s distinctive about this season for the Rangers, who received’t have the ability to simply depend on the 852 playoff video games the 20-man lineup has in complete underneath its belt. They’ll have to really play to it. 

It’s not sufficient to only have the ability to say you’ve been there earlier than — even when the Rangers have three gamers who’ve hoisted the Stanley Cup a mixed six occasions — in case you don’t act prefer it. 

“I feel guys had been excited once we clinched, however I don’t suppose it was the way it was final yr,” captain Jacob Trouba stated after the ultimate sport of the common season on Thursday. “The sensation was totally different. I feel there’s a little bit bit extra of an expectation amongst the group of getting again — and when you’re there, you’ve received to be able to go. 

Need to catch a sport? The Rangers schedule with hyperlinks to purchase tickets will be discovered right here.

“We’ve talked. All of the phrases have been stated. I feel we’re able to play. It’s lastly right here.” 

The Devils are constructed to rattle such opponents. Between their pure instincts to push the tempo and the best way they’ll dominate open ice, the Devils are in all probability one of many few groups whose talent degree rivals the Rangers. 

Whether or not or not the Rangers can play a seasoned group sport might be a deciding issue within the collection. 

The regular-season collection between the 2 golf equipment didn’t swing within the Rangers’ favor. They received in extra time in December and misplaced the opposite three video games, two in regulation and one in extra time. There have been loads of situations wherein the Devils merely regarded like the higher group. 

As soon as the solar rises Tuesday morning in Newark, nonetheless, the Devils can be in Rangers territory. New Jersey has skated in simply 5 postseason video games within the final decade. It would all be new and thrilling for the likes of Jack Hughes, Dawson Mercer, Nathan Bastian and Michael McLeod. 

The Rangers should be convincing of their function because the veterans. 

“They current a problem,” head coach Gerard Gallant stated of the Devils, who skyrocketed into third place within the NHL with 112 factors this season after ending fifth-to-last in 2021-22. “They’re a younger group, however they’re a talented group and a proficient group they usually can create loads. 

“A few of their guys took huge steps, like our younger guys this yr. I feel it’s going to be an amazing collection.”