Rangers vs. Devils Playoffs: Game 1 TV Schedule, Live Stream, Analysis and More

The New York Rangers advanced to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 1997 after going the distance and eliminating the Washington Capitals in seven games. The New Jersey Devils earned a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals when they quickly disposed of the Philadelphia Flyers in five games.

The cross-river rivals are in the conference finals together for the first time since 1994. It is a series that will be evenly matched due to the talent each squad possesses and the familiarity between both teams.

With the puck set to drop at 8:00 p.m. ET, here is what you need to know for Game 1.

Where to Watch

Pregame Coverage

TV: MSG Network

When: Monday, May 14 at 7:00 p.m. ET

Game Coverage

Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

Watch: NBC Sports Network, CBC and RDS.

Click to Listen: ESPN NY—98.7 FM (NYR), WBBR—1130 AM (NJD)

Click to Watch: NHL Gamecenter Premium, CBC Hockey Night in Canada Live!

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

Postgame Coverage

TV: MSG Network

When: Following Game 1 for approximately one hour

Additional Coverage

TV: NHL Network

Money Line from Bovada Sportsbook

New Jersey Devils: (+110)

New York Rangers: (-140)

Season Series: Rangers Won Via Points Tiebreaker

Dec. 20, 2011: New York 4, New Jersey 1; at Prudential Center

Jan. 31, 2012: New Jersey 3, New York 2; at Prudential Center

Feb. 7, 2012: New Jersey 1, New York 0; at Madison Square Garden

Feb. 27, 2012: New York 2, New Jersey 0; at Madison Square Garden

March 6, 2012: New Jersey 4, New York 1; at Prudential Center

March 19, 2012: New York 4, New Jersey 2; at Madison Square Garden

Lifetime Head-to-Head Playoff Numbers

1993-94: New York 4, New Jersey 3—Eastern Conference Finals

1997-98: New York 4, New Jersey 1—Eastern Conference semifinals 

2005-06: New Jersey 4, New York 0—Eastern Conference quarterfinals

2007-08: New York 4, New Jersey 1—Eastern Conference semifinals

Playoff Scoring Team Leaders

New York Rangers

Goals: Brad Richards (6)
Assists: Derek Stepan (7)
Points: Brad Richards (11)
+/-: Marc Staal (+3)
TOI/G (Defensemen): Dan Girardi (27:39)
TOI/G (Forwards): Ryan Callahan (24:20)

New Jersey Devils

Goals: Travis Zajac, Ilya Kovalchuk (5)
Assists: Ilya Kovalchuk (7)
Points: Ilya Kovalchuk (12)
+/-: Bryce Salvador (+8)
TOI/G (Defensemen): Marek Zidlicky (24:38)
TOI/G (Forwards): Ilya Kovalchuk (24:13)

Players to Watch In Game 1

Carl Hagelin (NYR)

Hagelin was the Rangers' leading scorer in head-to-head meetings versus New Jersey. In the six meetings, Hagelin scored two goals and assisted on six others for eight points. In Game 1, the Rangers will have the last change, so expect John Tortorella to exploit Hagelin's speed.

Ilya Kovalchuk (NJD)

Kovalchuk missed Game 2 against the Philadelphia Flyers with a back injury, but was able to come back in the series. He is nursing that injury, so it will be interesting to see the impact he has against New York.

During the regular season, Kovalchuk scored two goals and assisted on two others for four points, and had a plus-minus rating of minus-two.

Goalie Matchup

Henrik Lundqvist

| 8-6-0 | 1.68 GAA | .937 SV percentage | 1 SO |

Lundqvist is playing his best playoff hockey to date. He  is 3-0-0 for the Blueshirts in elimination games this year, so he is calm and cool under pressure. 

Martin Brodeur

| 8-3-0 | 2.05 GAA | .920 SV percentage | 1 SO |

The wily veteran is likely enjoying his last lengthy playoff run. There is not much more for the Devils' netminder to accomplish in the NHL, but contending for a Stanley Cup is something to keep him motivated.

Projected Lineups

New York Rangers

Carl Hagelin, Brad Richards (A), Marián Gáborík
Chris Kreider, Derek Stepan, Ryan Callahan (C)
Ruslan Fedotenko, Brian Boyle, Brandon Prust
Artem Anisimov, John Mitchell, Mike Rupp

Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi
Marc Staal (A), Anton Strålman
Michael Del Zotto, Stu Bickel

New Jersey Devils

Zach Parise (C), Travis Zajac, Ilya Kovalchuk (A)
Petr Sykora, Patrik Eliás (A), Dainius Zubrus
Alexei Ponikarovsky, Adam Henrique, Steve Bernier
Ryan Carter, Jacob Josefson, Cam Janssen

Bryce Salvador, Marek Zidlicky
Mark Fayne, Andy Greene
Anton Volchenkov, Peter Harrold

Question of the Day: Will there be a fight in the first five minutes of the game?

A fight broke out the last time the bitter Atlantic rivals squared off at Madison Square Garden. It may be the playoffs, but there is a chance that each team gets physical early on in Game 1.

Prediction: Rangers win 3-1

The Rangers will be riding high off their Game 7 win against the Capitals, but more importantly, the Rangers will be more rested than ever this series.

Given the proximity of the two teams, the Rangers will be able to sleep at home every night, complete their usual pregame rituals and will be more relaxed than when traveling to Ottawa and Washington, D.C.

The Rangers were able to stymie the Capitals' offense and movement through the neutral zone, so look for them to do the same to New Jersey from the start.