The Devils-Rangers Rivalry

The Devils made the playoffs for the first time -- at the Rangers' expense --by knocking New York out of a berth on the final day of the regular season when John MacLean's overtime goal beat the Chicago Blackhawks. It was the first time in 10 years that the Rangers had failed to qualify for the postseason. The Devils went on to upset their other area rival, the New York Islanders, in the first round and reach the Eastern Conference Final, where they fell to Boston in seven games.