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Rangers vs Devils: Failed renewal of the Hudson River rivalry

By Brendan Azoff

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 20: Adam Huska #32 of the New York Rangers braces for a third period shot from P.K. Subban #76 of the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on September 20, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Rangers 4-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 20: Adam Huska #32 of the New York Rangers braces for a third period shot from P.K. Subban #76 of the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on September 20, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Rangers 4-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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OCTOBER 17: Tony DeAngelo #77 of the New York Rangers. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
OCTOBER 17: Tony DeAngelo #77 of the New York Rangers. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Why the rivalry has struggled

Remember the two P’s mentioned early on in this article? Well, we all know the proximity will always be there, but the playoffs have not. Many people would agree with the time elapsed between the start of the 1993-1994 season and the end of the 1994-1995 season was the height of this storied rivalry.

In those two years, the Rangers would defeat the Devils in the Eastern Conference finals en route to a Stanley Cup, followed by the Devils grabbing a Cup of their own the very next campaign. That intensity that was seen between two phenomenal teams will be the only thing to rejuvenate this rivalry.

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Instead, we have seen just four playoff meetings over the last 25 seasons, while also watching both franchises fall from the top of the league to being Metropolitan division bottom dwellers amidst their rebuilds. The Rangers seem to be ahead of the Devils rebuild, but that means the lack of competitiveness between the teams will continue.

Since December of 2017, the two sides have clashed 11 times, with nine of those meetings being decided by two or more goals. This season alone, the four games were all relatively one-sided, despite each team winning two. The inability to create late-game drama has caused a lessened intensity between the two teams both on the ice and in the crowd.

Despite the downward trends that plague the Hudson River rivalry, there still is optimism that it can once again flourish. Attendance soars during these games, with the arenas at a minimum of 93 percent capacity for each tilt, according to ESPN.

With the Rangers on the rise due to their plethora of young talent and handful of superstar caliber players, and the Devils starting to piece together a young core for their future as well, both teams could restore their winning ways very soon.

Back in 2012, before New York and New Jersey meeting in the conference finals, there was a game that exemplified what this rivalry could be. This game brought passion, physicality, and tumultuous applause from the fans, all just one second after the puck dropped.

Yes, the game has taken a turn away from these types of melees, but the hatred these two teams had for each other was palpable, something that has not returned to this rivalry in almost eight years. As the two teams continue to develop and trend upward, this intensity will be brought back, and I for one cannot wait for its return.

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