Devils vs. Rangers: Game 1 TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More

The Atlantic division rival New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils will square off in the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 1994 when Game 1 gets underway on Monday night at Madison Square Garden.

When two rivals meet for the chance to earn a berth in the Stanley Cup Final, hockey fans everywhere are sure to be treated to an amazing series with great passion and intensity.

Most people expected the Rangers to be here, but the Devils surprised us all with a convincing five-game series victory over the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round.

These two teams don't like each other, which should make for a fantastic series that is likely to go at least six games.

Let's look at everything you need to know for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

Watch: NBC Sports Network in the United States, CBC and RDS in Canada

Live Stream: NHL Gamecenter Premium

When: Monday, May 14 at 8:00 p.m. ET

Betting Line (Via BetOnline.com): Rangers by 1.5

Key Injuries (via USA Today)

Devils defenseman Marek Zidlicky is questionable with a neck injury.

Rangers forward Brandon Dubinsky is questionable with a leg injury.

What They're Saying

Martin Brodeur was the Devils goalie when they lost to the Rangers in the 1994 East Finals, and he said recently that the dislike toward the Blueshirts is still there.

Via the Fire and Ice Blog:

"

“I was part of the whole seven games,” Brodeur said. “I was on the bench. I was in the locker room. I got to hate the Rangers early on, got the taste of it. And all (this) year with what happened and all the new faces, we’ve got a little bit of that feeling.”

"

John Tortorella talked about his team after the Rangers' Game 7 victory over the Capitals, saying via ESPN's Katie Strang:

"

#NYR Torts said Rangers still trying to establish themselves as one of elite teams. "This is where your legacy is made, the playoffs"

— Katie Strang (@KatieStrangESPN) May 13, 2012"

Most Important Player to Watch: Martin Brodeur

Many people didn't expect Devils goalie Martin Brodeur to play as well as he has in the playoffs thus far, especially since he hasn't had much postseason success since winning the 2003 Stanley Cup.

However, Brodeur has returned to his old form in these playoffs with a record of 8-3-1 and a .920 save percentage.

If he can frustrate the Rangers like Washington Capitals rookie goalie Braden Holtby did in the second round, then the Devils will have a strong chance to win the Prince of Wales Trophy as East champs.

Key Matchup: Devils Defense vs. Rangers' Gaborik-Richards-Hagelin Line

The Devils need to contain the Rangers line of Marian Gaborik, Brad Richards and Carl Hagelin if they want to win this series.

Rangers head coach John Tortorella gave this line a lot of ice time in Game 7 of the Capitals series, and with good reason.

Richards gives New York a playmaker on offense and someone with a lot of composure because of his previous Stanley Cup-winning experience. He scored the opening goal of Game 7 versus the Capitals to give his teammates a huge early lift. Gaborik is an elite goal scorer and Hagelin is arguably the fastest player in the NHL.

If this line can provide offense for the Rangers, they will be difficult to beat in this series.

Prediction: Rangers win 2-1

The Rangers are a more physical team than the Devils and have a bit more depth on offense. New York also has the edge between the pipes.

New Jersey's offense has been consistently strong in the playoffs, but the Devils will find it hard to score goals against the shot-blocking defensemen of the Rangers, and Lundqvist between the pipes.

The Rangers will take the series opener.

Follow @NicholasGoss35

Nicholas Goss is an NHL Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and was also the organization's on-site reporter for the 2011 Stanley Cup Final in Boston.