In the eight head to head match-ups this season, the Rangers won seven. Plus, they just flat out have the superior talent. The Rangers can roll three lines that can score goals, plus a fourth line that is centered by a guy who is great with face-offs and a valuable penalty killer in Blair Betts. They can also throw two wingers on that fourth line that have great energy to go along with pretty solid skill. Team captain Jaromir Jagr is playing his best and most inspired hockey of the season down the stretch. He has seven goals in the last eight games, and is finally looking like that player who can take over a game with a rare blend of size, power, and agility. The team went 15-3-7 in the final 25 games. They got 37 out of a possible 50 points.

The only Devils forward playing at a high level is Zach Parise. The team’s second leading point scorer, Patrik Elias, is a shell of his former self. The defense that once boasted the names of Scott Stevens, Scott Niedermayer, and even Brian Rafalski, lacks a clear shut down guy. As a group, they just aren’t that good either.

Unfortunately, they must be given the advantage in goal, however slight of an advantage that it is. Martin Brodeur is a legendary goaltender. His playoff success is unparalleled by anyone in the game today. Chances are he will show up and play a great series, but his time is limited. He doesn’t have a whole lot of time left as the best goaltender in the league, or even the tri-state area. I have a feeling that after a mid-season slump by Henrik Lundqvist, ‘The King’ will be on top of his game, as he has been the last month and a half, and lead the Rangers to victory. Out of the eight games the Rangers and Devils played this season, the Rangers won seven, and Lundqvist was in net for each one. He had two shutouts, a 1.09 goals against average, and a .956 save percentage.

This should be a long series with a bunch of low scoring, close games.

Rangers in six.