The Devils will have to score or their marvelous 108-point season will become another mirage, the root of deeper disappointment. If they don’t score, they can lose to these Bruins as easily as they did last year to the Hurricanes.

To survive, the Devils will have to exploit Boston’s goaltending and backline. Letting these games boil down to luck and flukes, one bounce or miscue determining victory or defeat, voids the reason for having top talent in the first place.

FORWARDS

The Devils soon will understand why Boston has four players in goal-scoring range of their top gunner Patrik Elias (28): Glen Murray (44), Joe Thornton (36), Mike Knuble (30) and Brian Rolston (27). Then there’s Sergei Samsonov, perhaps the best of them all, one game back from a broken wrist.

The Devils must receive scoring from Joe Nieuwendyk, Jamie Langenbrunner and Jeff Friesen. Elias, Scott Gomez and Brian Gionta could become the Devils’ top offensive line if the J’s falter.

John Madden will have chances to score on the counterattack, but he admits having trouble against Thornton’s size. Brian Rolston likely will fare well matched against Nieuwendyk, but the ex-Devil will have to score to turn this series.

Edge: Bruins

DEFENSE

No comparison. Scott Stevens, even at 39, remains a daunting force, even for Thornton and Samsonov. Expect him to knock someone out of the series. Watch where the Devils use Scott Niedermayer. The scoring line that has his services is the one that will be depended upon for goals. The depth is daunting – Ken Daneyko might see the end of his record of playing every Devils playoff game, but the streak it is expected to reach 163 tonight.

Boston’s backliners are competent but not daunting. Sean O’Donnell, who’s expected to miss at least the opener, has been their best defenseman lately.

Edge: Devils

GOALTENDING

Martin Brodeur finished the season in such magnificent fashion he actually was “playing” hockey, performing with such grace and certainty he appeared to be having fun stifling the world’s best.

The Bruins, on the other hand, hope Jeff Hackett is healthy for the postseason. Even if he plays, he’ll be a question mark. Steve Shields, who is 9-14 in playoffs with Buffalo and San Jose, is likely to start the opener.

Edge: Devils

PREDICTION

Thornton will find Stevens is still a magnificent stopper, Brodeur will allow little, and the Devils will score just enough to advance.

DEVILS in six.