from Stan Fischler of The Hockey News,
Don't kid yourself; if you think New York Rangers-New York Islanders is a keen rivalry, believe The Maven when I tell you that The Battle Of The Hudson -- which resumes tonight at The Rock -- is equally intense.
As for this evening, the visiting Blueshirts will be aiming for their ninth straight victory and -- after Sunday's classic -- second consecutive W this week in the Garden State.
On the other side, Lindy Ruff's Devils are in a desperate mode otherwise defined as if-we-don't-make-the-playoffs-it'll-be-awfully-humbling.
Pre-season forecasts had New Jersey finishing second in the Met Division, one notch ahead of the Blueshirts who are running away with a likely first place finish.
While the Rangers -- with a respite here and there -- have breezed along with the breeze, the Devils have been braked in one unpleasant form or another from the get-go last October.
The Maven Says: Don't kid yourself; if you think New York Rangers-New York Islanders is a keen rivalry, believe The Maven when I tell you that The Battle Of The Hudson -- which resumes tonight at The Rock -- is equally intense.
Fact Check = TRUE
Reason: NJD and Rag$ seem to meet in the playoffs a lot.... Isles always seem to get PIT and CAR when they make the playoffs. That playoff rivalry between Jersey and Rag$ has built this into a top rivalry. Devils fans have a creative chant involving the two rivals that I believe they hate the most - involving the Rag$ and Flyers that I won't repeat here :)
But I too am surprised at the level of play by NJD this year. Adding Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec - to a team that has some terrific players already - it can't just be the goaltending Interesting year for them
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