The Death of the Rivalry proved prematurely proclaimed by Jacques Lemaire. Still, last night’s decent imitation only added to the one-sided tilt of recent Rangers-Devils history.
The fast and fierce battle, the match between the two great goalies, ended as these showdowns have 16 times in their last 23…

What a welcoming place Newark has become. Every NHL visitor has gone home satisfied this year.
The Rangers were the happy tourists last night, rebounding from Friday’s loss in Philadelphia for a 3-0 triumph over the Devils.
“Beating the Devils is always a good feeling,” Henrik Lundqvist said after…

It was the Rangers coach who defused what could still be another NHL vs. Ilya Kovalchuk case. The Devils will have to find their own solution to being susceptible to tough guys and agitators like Sean Avery.
The NHL is expected to look at what Rangers GM Glen Sather thought…

His salary will be a large hurdle against sticking with the Rangers, but Todd White wants the chance to reprove himself as a three-time 20-goal, 50-point forward.
Acquired by the Rangers from the Thrashers yesterday for Donald Brashear and Patrick Rassmiller, White, 35, will earn $2.375 million next season…

Passing up the upcoming captaincy of NCAA finalist Wisconsin was difficult, Ryan McDonagh says, but he wants to start his Ranger career.
“No guarantees, but I’m going to go there in as good shape as possible and give it my best shot,” said McDonagh, the 2007 first-rounder the Rangers…

If they didn’t before, the Rangers believe now. They believe they can make up those three measly points. They believe they can make the playoffs.
“You just gotta believe,” Brandon Dubinsky declared, perhaps unknowingly invoking Tug McGraw and the 1973 Mets.
Blue faith was both rewarded and fortified last…

There’s no sympathy from the Devils. They want the Rangers to miss the playoffs.
“If they don’t make the playoffs, it’s a good thing,” defenseman Paul Martin said. “It’s a big rivalry. They don’t want us to win, and we don’t want them to…

When the dust finally settles next month, this one could well prove a turning point for both the Devils and Rangers, all the more significant because of each team’s struggles. The Devils’ first regular season chasing of Henrik Lundqvist looms that large.
It’s not supposed to be the…

As well as anyone, anyone, John Halligan personified the finest in New York hockey.
The longtime Rangers and NHL public relations head and 2007 winner of the Lester Patrick Award passed away in his sleep yesterday at age 68.
The tales are legion, and legend. He would invite grounded reporters…

Sources have told The Post that former Rangers and Devils forward Brendan Shanahan, who announced his retirement today, could be in line for a position with the NHL.
Shanahan, 40, was released by the Devils Sept. 30 after a strong training camp, and …