Comparing The Rangers' Riavlry With The Devils And Islanders

The calendar tells us it's Friday and that means that it's time for Ask The Maven. Today's question comes from Norm Kenstein of Key West. Take it away Norm: 

HOW WOULD YOU COMPARE THE RANGERS' RIVALRY WITH THE DEVILS AND ISLANDERS?

The Maven Responds: There are different ways of analyzing them. For starters, the Islanders entered the NHL in 1972, a decade before the Devils. In that time, the Isles grew from patsy newcomers to Cup champions.

By the time the Devils opened in New Jersey, the Blueshirts and Islanders had built up an intense rivalry. On the other hand, the Devils needed five years from birth to hatred of the Manhattanites.

During the 1987-88 season the Devils overtook the Rangers on the final night of the campaign and knocked New York out of the playoffs. By the early 1990's what became known as "The Battle Of The Hudson" took on all the intensity of "The Expressway Series."

Many critics have rated the 1994 Rangers-Devils series among the greatest of all-time. Although the Rangers won the Stanley Cup in 1994, the Devils displaced them a year later.

Since then the Devils won Cups in 2000 and 2003 whereas the Rangers have not won any since 1994.

A good example of how the Garden State and Empire State rivals dislike each other will be available tomorrow afternoon at The Rock.

Maven Free Warning: It could get nasty!