Brandon Prust faces a review and a possible suspension for an unpenalized elbow to the back of Devils defenseman Anton Volchenkov’s head barely two minutes into the second period of the Rangers’ 3-0 Game 3 victory in Newark.

Dan Girardi and Chris Kreider scored in the third period while Henrik Lundqvist and a physical defense blanked the Devils 3-0 as the Rangers grabbed a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference finals.

Marian Gaborik has become the Rangers’ scapegoat for their 3-2 loss in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals, but he wasn’t the only forward watching from the bench as the Devils tied the series going in to Game 3 Saturday afternoon in Newark.

Brandon Dubinsky skated at Greenburgh on Friday wearing an orange non-contact jersey, the first time he has skated by himself or with a group since he injured his right foot during Game 7 of the first round against Ottawa.

The Rangers are familiar with the criticisms about their lack of killer instinct and inconsistent offense, but questions about the Blueshirts’ desire to win is quite a different obstacle to overcome following Wednesday night’s 3-2 loss to the Devils in Game 2.

This marks the third consecutive series that the Rangers have won Game 1 at home before losing Game 2 by the same exact score of 3-2. New York is now 0-for-6 this postseason in games when it had the opportunity to take a two-game series lead.

The Rangers powered through the Devils, 3-0, in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals Monday night at the Garden, thanks to Henrik Lundqvist and the resilience of Dan Girardi and Chris Kreider – the veteran and the rook.

When the playoffs began, there appeared to be three Eastern Conference teams the Rangers had to fear: the Penguins, Devils and Senators. The Blueshirts dodged the Penguins, held off the Sens and now face New Jersey.

The Rangers’ Eastern Conference final showdown with the Devils is not just a rivalry, and it’s not just the next challenge in search of a fifth Stanley Cup in the franchise’s 86-season run.

The last time the Rangers played the Devils, the puck had barely hit the Garden ice before their March 19 head-to-head turned into Wrestlemania. So it’s natural to wonder if blood will spill early and often beginning in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals Monday night.