History of the Devils & Rangers Rivalry Through the Decades

Few rivalries in sports carry the emotional weight, regional pride and generational bitterness of the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers. For over 40 years, this cross-river rivalry, known as the Battle of the Hudson, has defined East Coast hockey, producing unforgettable moments and a deep-rooted shared history for the players and fans. From heartbreak in the ’90s to playoff redemption in the 21st century, the rivalry has evolved into a bitter feud that has defined hockey in the Metropolitan area for decades.

There’s no clear origin to the hatred, but somewhere between the short distance of Madison Square Garden and the Prudential Center, a blood feud was born. Ask any Devils or Rangers fan, and they’ll tell you: de spising the other side isn’t a choice – it’s a birthright.

The Rivalry Begins: 1980-1990

The Devils were born in 1982, a relocated franchise from Colorado that had struggled to find stability. Their arrival in East Rutherford was met with skepticism – why plant a fledgling team just 11 miles away from the storied Original Six Rangers?

From day one, the Devils had something to prove. They were mocked for their subpar play and virtually non-existent fan base. The Blue Shirts were proud and territorial, and viewed New Jersey as an encroachment on their territory. On the ice, both teams were on different trajectories.

The Rangers, while struggling to win a Cup, still made frequent playoff appearances throughout the ’80s. In contrast, the Devils spent much of the decade near the bottom of the standings, often missing the playoffs entirely and finishing with losing records. Behind the scenes, the Devils were laying a foundation, and in 1987, Lou Lamoriello was hired as general manager — a move that changed the direction of the franchise. He instilled discipline, overhauled scouting and player development, and brought a long-term vision focused on defense, structure, and winning. In the 1987-88 season, the Devils broke through, clinching their first playoff berth on the final day of the regular season thanks to a game-winning overtime goal by John MacLean. They showed their potential, and many fans in the Jersey area switched over to support their home team, causing a deeper divide between the Devils and Rangers. 

Decade of Struggle for the Devils

By 1990, the groundwork for the rivalry was set.

This decade saw the rivalry explode. Under the guidance of Lamoriello and head coach Jacques Lemaire, combined with the stardom of Martin Brodeur in net and Scott Stevens leading a physical blue line, the Devils became serious playoff contenders. Their style of play clashed with the offensively talented Rangers.

Over the course of the decade, the Devils and Rangers faced off in the playoffs three times, beginn ing with their inaugural postseason battle in the 1991-92 campaign. The first matchup between the two lived up to the hype, with the Rangers ultimately coming out to take the series with a 4-3 win.

In the 1993-94 season, the Rangers once again triumphed over the Devils in a thrilling Game 7, sealed by Stéphane Matteau’s unforgettable double-overtime goal that punched their ticket to the Stanley Cup Final. New York would go on to capture its first championship in 54 years, while the Devils were left heartbroken and hungrier than ever for redemption.

The third Devils-Rangers playoff series took place in 1997, when the star-studded Rangers, led by Mark Messier , Wayne Gretzky, and Mike Richter, eliminated the Devils in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The 2000s: Where the Devils Find Success

The 2000s marked a period of dominance for the Devils in the rivalry. Between 2000 and 2003, New Jersey added two more Stanley Cups and rout inely outperformed the Rangers in both head-to-head matchups and the standings. While the Devils were firmly established as perennial contenders, the Rangers endured a playoff drought from 1997 to 2006, watching from the sidelines as the Devils found their success.

“The hatred? I couldn’t even put a number on it. The hatred was off the charts,” said Ken Daneyko, longtime Devils blueliner and current broadcaster for the team. “It was an unwritten rule that you wouldn’t even say their name.”

In 2006, the two organizations returned to the postseason, where the Devils swept the Rangers 4-0 for the first time in franchise history. Brodeur became a constant tormentor of Rangers fans, while names like Patrik Elias, Scott Niedermayer, and John Madden became synonymous with New Jersey’s methodical, crushing style of play.

In 2008, the physicality picked up.