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For the second time in three seasons, the New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils will match up in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. It wasn’t a pretty series for the Rangers in 2006, who were swept by the Devils in four games. This was the series where a collision between Jaromir Jagr and then-Devil Scott Gomez dislocated Jagr’s shoulder and rendered him ineffective for the rest of the series. Henrik Lundqvist was also relatively ineffective in this series, seeming tired after a great rookie season.

Times are different now. That Rangers team that took on the Devils did not have much of a lineup, picked in the preseason to finish dead last in the NHL, and was virtually a Cinderella team for the entirety of the season. The Rangers team that is taking on the Devils now is deep in talent, boasting several Stanley Cup Champions and clutch players, such as Brendan Shanahan, Chris Drury, and Gomez. They have also owned the Devils throughout the season, going 7-0-1 against a younger, less deep Devils team then we have come accustomed to in previous years. However, with this in mind, Martin Brodeur is still a top-3 goalie in the NHL, and when he is in the net, anything is possible.

Offensively, the Rangers have a decisive advantage. Even though goals have been hard to come by for the team, they have countless options who can put the puck in the net. Drury, Jagr, Gomez, and Shanahan all have natural goal scoring abilities. Ranger fans also hope that Captain Clutch (Chris Drury) can use some of that playoff magic that ousted them in Buffalo in these playoffs to carry them to their first Stanley Cup since 1994. The Rangers are also a youthful team with players that treat each shift like their last. Brandon Dubinsky has made a name for himself playing along side Jagr, and will do whatever it takes to help the team win. Often, I find myself comparing him to a young Adam Graves, a player who will clean up in front of the net, fight, check, and do all of the little things. Nigel Dawes has turned into quite the sniper and shootout whiz, and Ryan Callahan is quick on his feet, and could turn into a phenomenal two way player. The Devils sport a sniper in Zach Parise, who seems to kill the Rangers every time they play. Let us also not forget about Patrick Elias, who has often seemed to be in Brent Sutter’s doghouse, and his ability to score goals when needed. The Devils also sport two fantastic two way players in Jay Pandolfo and John Madden, who can score, and who play light’s out defense.

The Sean Avery factor will be clutch. We all remember how he tormented the Thrashers last Spring, and then disappeared against the Buffalo Sabres. If Avery can keep his head on semi-straight, and utilize the offensive skills that he possesses as a compliment to his agitating skills (which were hard at work yesterday as evidenced between the jawing of him and the Devils bench), then the Rangers will breeze through.

Defensively, the teams are equals. They sport no top-five stars such as a Chris Pronger or Scott Neidermeyer, but are comprised of several formidable anchors who fall into specific roles. Players such as Dan Girardi and Marc Staal are young, but seem like seasoned veterans in their play. Michael Rosival has been the Rangers’ best blue line option since he joined them in 2006, and Christian Backman has been a tremendous asset since coming over from St. Louis at the trading deadline.. The Devils have a great offensive defenseman in Paul Martin, and several youthful players such as Johnny Oduya who play into Brent Sutter’s defensive schemes.

I don’t even have to write about the goaltending matchup. Henrik Lundqvist vs. Martin Brodeur. Goliath vs. Goliath. Enough Said.

I honestly feel that the Rangers are just a superior team to the Devils this year. I still worry that Brodeur will carry them Devils on his back like he has done since 1994. My guess is that Brodeur does in fact carry them on his back, but only for six games. The Rangers win this series 4-2.