NHL Playoffs 2012: 3 Areas That Will Help the Rangers Defeat the Devils

While the New York Rangers shed blood, sweat and victorious tears to eliminate the Washington Capitals in another seven-game series, the New Jersey Devils have had nearly a week to prepare for their Eastern Conference Finals matchup. Depending on your viewpoint, they drew their arch enemy and cross-river rival in New York in what shapes up to be a classic playoff encounter.

It doesn't get more evenly matched than these two teams. 

Both play an aggressive, up-tempo game. Both are aggressive on the forecheck. Both boast superb goaltenders in net. While the Devils have more offensive fire power up front, the Rangers defensemen are much better at not only defending but joining the rush. 

Examine the two teams, and you'll notice a lot of areas cancel each other out.

However, there are a few areas New York can capitalize on to help their chances of advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1994.

Faceoffs

Of the remaining playoff teams, both the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers rank as the bottom two teams in faceoff winning percentage. The Rangers (47.6) hold a slight edge over the Devils (46.3).

The Devils have only one player above 50 percent in winning percentage—Travis Zajac (58.4)—while the Rangers best man at the faceoff dot is Brad Richards (49.5), with Brian Boyle (45.6) and Derek Stepan (44.7) as the other options. 

There's not going to be a lot of clean faceoff wins in this series so expect the center to execute any means to make sure his team controls the puck off the draw.

Where this could be beneficial for New York is in the offensive zones and on the power play. If you can win faceoffs and control the puck, it gives you a better chance of getting a goal by controlling the play.

Power Play

Despite their early struggles in the playoffs and nearly the entire regular season, the New York Rangers power play may get a chance to shine in the conference finals.

The Blueshirts will be going up against a Devils penalty kill that ranks dead last of the remaining four playoff teams at 73.9 percent—a stark contrast to the team who finished No. 1 in the NHL during the regular season killing off penalties 89.6 percent of the time.

New York's power has come on of late—it's the reason they stole Game 5 from the Capitals in the waning seconds of regulation and beginning of overtime—and will need to step up even more.

Solid passes, player movement and traffic in front of Martin Brodeur have to be executed in order for the Rangers to use special teams as an advantage. 

Goaltending

Here's where it gets interesting.

You have an all-time great in Martin Brodeur still playing at a high level and having a great postseason for the Devils, with a 2.05 goals against, .920 save percentage and one shutout. But age isn't on his side as Marty just celebrated his 40th birthday.

For the Rangers, Henrik Lundqvist has followed up a remarkable regular season with an even better postseason, with a stingy 1.68 goals against, .937 save percentage and one shutout. He's also 10 years younger.

Brodeur has the championship experience and veteran savvy. Lundqvist is still in his prime and is at the top of his game. Is it the case of the unstoppable force vs. the immovable object? Not necessarily.

Yes, the Rangers have played 14 playoff games and have gone through the rigors of two, emotionally draining Game 7 victories. But, the Devils have played just two fewer playoff games (but have had the benefit of nearly a week's worth of rest).

I won't mention Lundqvist's regular season dominance over the Devils, but factor the confidence in playing the Devils with how great he's performing in every game, and I believe its an edge in New York's favor.

It will be a monumental task for the Devils to figure out how to beat Lundqvist, and one that could get in their heads all series.