Grudge Match: Devils and Rangers Playoff Battle Begins Tonight

Tonight the ultimate grudge match is about to commence on Broad Street in Newark, New Jersey, some 14 miles south west of Madison Square Garden, with only the Hudson River and Jersey City separating the two.

The New York Rangers invade the Rock to square off with their arch rivals, the New Jersey Devils in the first of what should be a spectacular seven-game series in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

It is only the seventh time these two Metro Division foes have met in the playoffs, and each time it offered something memorable. Twice they met in the conference finals, dating back to the Rangers legendary run in 1994 when Mark Messier and crew came back from a 3-2 series deficit to win that series and later stun Vancouver for the Blue Shirts first title in 54 years at that time.

Then in 2012, they met again with the right to go to the Stanley Cup on the line, and the Devils came out victories in six games, in what turned into Marty Brodeur's swan song -- the last trip to the Cup for the Devils and its Hall of Fame goalie, before they lost to Los Angeles in the Finals.

This year the Rangers come in as the veteran team. They are loaded with All-Star and talent from Chris Krieder to Mika Zibanjed and Artemi Panarin. The addition of Stanley Cup Champion Patrick Kane has sparked the lineup for New York in the stretch drive, as the former Blackhawk has five goals in 19 games with the Blue Shirts.

Then, of course, there is goalie Igor Shesterkin, who is still looking to put the postseason stamp on his career the way greats Mike Richter and Henrique Lundqvist had done before him. Sheskterin and the Rangers are battle-tested having been to the Eastern Conference Finals a year ago. Going up against the young Devils will not scare them.

Speaking of Jersey, the Devils return to the postseason for the first time in six years. This team has rebuilt itself into a fast, and fun squad led by Jack Hughes and his franchise-record setting 99 points. Nico Hirschier, Dougie Hamilton and Jesper Bratt round out the rotation of lethal shooters for the Devs. If Jersey gets hot offensively they can make it vastly uncomfortable for the Rangers.

In fact over their last seven games to end the regular season, the Devils have scored 32 goals, including an 8-1 triumph over Columbus.

Get your gear ready, and get ready for the ultimate grudge match!