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New York Rangers: The greatest game ever played

BySteve Paulus|
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 14: The New York Rangers celebrate after defeating the Vancouver Canucks in Game 7 of the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals on June 14, 1994 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. The Rangers won the series 4 games to 3. (Photo by J Giamundo/Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 14: The New York Rangers celebrate after defeating the Vancouver Canucks in Game 7 of the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals on June 14, 1994 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. The Rangers won the series 4 games to 3. (Photo by J Giamundo/Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)
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Canadian ice hockey player Stephane Matteau of the New York Rangers (with stick raised above his head) scores the winning goal during the second overtime period of the 7th game of the Stanley Cup sermi-finals, allowing the Rangers to defeat the New Jersey Devils and advance to the finals, New York, New York, May 27, 1994. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images/Getty Images)
Canadian ice hockey player Stephane Matteau of the New York Rangers (with stick raised above his head) scores the winning goal during the second overtime period of the 7th game of the Stanley Cup sermi-finals, allowing the Rangers to defeat the New Jersey Devils and advance to the finals, New York, New York, May 27, 1994. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images/Getty Images)

Game 7 versus the Devils

The stage was set for game seven of the Conference Finals to  qualify as the greatest game the Rangers.  Mark Messier had guaranteed a win in Game Six and came through with a hat trick. The Rangers had never won the deciding game of a seven game series in overtime, no less double overtime.  Already in the series, two games had gone to double OT with the teams splitting.

The Rangers took the lead when Brian Leetch scored in the second period.  The Rangers clung to that 1-0 lead for almost two periods.  For 59 minutes 52.3 seconds, Mike Richter shut out the Devils as the Garden crowd  grew more delirious.  The sound was deafening and the joy was contagious.

Valeri ZelepukinhereJ.P. PariseKen Morrow

You have to understand the pessimism that 54 years of futility can bring.  There wasn’t a “now we will get them in overtime” sentiment in the Garden.  It was “now we’re gonna lose.” That’s why, when Stephane Matteau scored on his wraparound, the arena literally exploded.

And that is why Game Seven of the 1994 Conference Finals is the greatest hockey game ever played by the New York Rangers, maybe even the most fabulous hockey game ever played.  They rebounded from the ultimate depths to win,  a result that  everyone hoped for but no no one expected.

25 years ago today, the New York Rangers were crowned the champions of the National Hockey League, but it would have never happened without the Rangers victory in what was absolutely the greatest game the team has ever played.

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