We’re being treated to classic rewinds on MSG, with the network televising noteworthy games from the 1980s and 1990s as well as many of the best and brightest from this century.
The trip down memory lane provokes memories and the opportunity to create rankings. In this case, The Post is ranking the greatest teams in New York/New Jersey hockey history. We’re not adding up WAR or GAR or GAA numbers to create the list. Rather, it is based on eyeballs and experience. We’ve seen every one of these teams other than one.
In some cases, we combined seasons. The Dynasty Islanders are rated as an entry, as are the Rangers of 1970-71 and 1971-72, and the Rangers of 2013-14 and 2014-15. New Jersey’s three Stanley Cup champions, however, are rated as distinct entities.
As follows, Nos. 7-1 of the all-time Baker’s Dozen:
7. 2002-03 Devils
The third and last Stanley Cup champion from New Jersey employed a stifling trap under Pat Burns, surrendering the fewest goals in the league while scoring only the 14th most. Jamie Langenbrunner and Jeff Friesen made their marks, Martin Brodeur was still at the top of his game at age 30, and the Devils upset Ottawa in seven in the Eastern Conference finals before defeating the Mighty Ducks in another seven games.
6. 2013-14/2014-15 Rangers
The second edition became a powerhouse through the second half of the season, posting an 18-4-3 record while Henrik Lundqvist was sidelined with the vascular injury he sustained when struck in the throat by a shot. The team won the Presidents’ Trophy and overcame a 3-1 second-round deficit to defeat the Capitals in seven games before suffering an upset seven-game loss to the Lightning when injuries hobbled the back end and the team was shut out at home in both Game 5 and 7. The first edition, of course, made its magical run to the finals on the wings of the angel that touched the Blueshirts when Martin St. Louis’ mother, France, passed away during the second round.
5. 1994-95 Devils
The hangover that followed the previous season’s Game 7 Matteau loss dragged deep into the lockout-truncated season in which the Devils went only 22-18-8. But bolstered by Neal Broten (Lou Lamoriello’s Magnificent Acquisition) and a deep lineup that included Stephane Richer, Claude Lemieux, Bobby Carpenter, Tom Chorske, John MacLean, Bruce Driver, Billy Guerin, the Bobby Holik-Randy McKay-Mike Peluso Crash Line and the 23-year-old Brodeur, New Jersey rampaged through the playoffs, outscoring Boston, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Detroit by an aggregate 67-34.
4. 1970-71/1971-72 Rangers
The best teams in NHL history that failed to win the Cup, 49-18-11 followed by 48-17-13. Emile, Eddie, the GAG Line, Park, the Bulldog Line, Stemmer in triple overtime Game 6 against Chicago, Vic flinging Bernie Parent’s mask into the stands, Gene Carr scoring to salt away the semifinal sweep of the Blackhawks … and Bobby Hull scoring from the trigger position in 1971 and Bobby Orr doing that spinorama at the blue line in 1972.
3. 1993-94 Rangers
Climbed the beanstalk, slayed the dragon, did the impossible, won the franchise’s only Stanley Cup over the past 80 years following a 52-24-8 season. And did it in dramatic, storybook style, taking Mark Messier’s “We’ll Win Tonight” Game 6 over the Devils at the Meadowlands, winning the double-overtime Matteau Game 7 over the Devils, going seven to defeat the Canucks, all with the backdrop of the Neil Smith-Mike Keenan machinations.
2. 1999-2000 Devils
The regular season was blah, and in fact cost Robbie Ftorek his job behind the bench to Larry Robinson with eight games to go.
But the Devils transformed into a machine in the playoffs, paced by the Patrik Elias-Jason Arnott-Petr Sykora “A Line,” a six-deep defense with Scott Stevens and Scott Niedermayer at the top and Vlad Malakhov on the third pair, depth players in Claude Lemieux, Alex Mogilny, Bobby Holik, John Madden and Scott Gomez, and Brodeur at the height of his powers.
1. The Dynasty Islanders: 1979-80 through 1982-83
The greatest hockey team in NHL history, four straight Cups and a pro sports record 19 consecutive playoff series victories stretching to 1984. Talented, tough and deep. The 1981-82 edition is probably the best of the group, 54-16-10, bolstered by the additions of Brent Sutter and Tomas Jonsson, but each one of these four teams stands on its own. The aggregate playoff record through the Cup years: 60-18. Bill Torrey the GM, Al Arbour the coach, All-Stars, Hall-of-Famers, three of the best of all time in Mike Bossy, Denis Potvin and Bryan Trottier. This was the perfect professional sports team.