So this team in search of destiny and dynasty returns from whence it came nearly 19 years ago, Mile-High Denver, where Rockies took their last breath and became these Devils in 1982. The champs revisit their history to make history.
This is Battle Royale, the exiled original Denverites pitted against the recent transplants from Quebec in the greatest Stanley Cup Finals matchup in more than a decade. Starting Saturday in Denver, the reigning Stanley Cup champions face the reigning Presidents’ Trophy champs in the final for the first time since John Ziegler authorized the regular-season hardware in 1986, and first time since the 1985 league-champ Flyers were vanquished by the Cup-holding Oilers.
It is a showdown truly worthy of the 108-year-old punchbowl. It is a showdown that would engrave legitimacy on the Devils’ claim to greatness if they can engrave their names on the Cup a third time, the dynastic feat accomplished only by the Canadiens, Islanders and Oilers since expansion.
They are ready to become legends.
It has all fallen into place for the Devils, who seem to have finally exorcised their own complacent demons of the first two rounds.
More importantly, they came through their five-game ouster of Pittsburgh better than they went in.
It was almost spa treatment for the banged-up Devil defense against the Penguins. Aching, concussed and some gun-shy from the pounding administered by the Maple Leafs, New Jersey’s backliners had a comparative day at the beach along their back boards.
“Not that physical a series. They’re not that type of team,” Devil defenseman Sean O’Donnell said. “Not like the Toronto series. We couldn’t have played anyone in the league who was more brutal. Guys were tired.
“They were really taking runs at us, and after seven games, it took its toll.”
Scott Niedermayer was concussed from Tie Domi, Brian Rafalski was picking Gary Roberts out of his ear all night, and even the Rocks were being rocked. The Penguins could have taken advantage, if they’d played the way of the Leafs, if they were built that way.
“We’re fortunate that Pittsburgh is a puck-carrying team,” O’Donnell said. “Toronto wanted to put us through the end boards.”
Instead, the Devils showed the Penguins the door. Rafalski recovered his poise to massively contribute his offense. Niedermayer returned without being punished, more like himself every game. And the defenders performed a feat of wonder, holding Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr without goals in the series.
They are as healed as they’re going to be in this marathon of mayhem. And they are brimming with confidence.
Now the Best in the East takes on the Best in the West. And if the Devils themselves are any indication, the Best in the East runs roughshod over the Best in the West.
New Jersey went an astounding 18-3-1-1 against the West this season. The Devils swept Colorado (2-0), Dallas (2-0), Detroit (1-0) and Phoenix (2-0), losing once each to Nashville, Los Angeles and San Jose, and falling in OT to St. Louis.
Of course, the Avs have some reasons to show up, too:
* Ray Bourque is chasing his first Stanley Cup.
* Patrick Roy, chased in both Devil victories this year, has probably heard he is Martin Brodeur’s hero.
* Joe Sakic, the league’s likely MVP, is about to become unrestricted, and can add to his richly deserved reputation if he can lead the Avs to the Cup without spleenless Peter Forsberg.
* The Avs are seeking to end their stint as One-Cup Wonders.
Eerily, the Avs have a chance to follow the Devils as Stanley Cup champs for a second time. This time, though, they’re not playing the Panthers. They’ll have to take it away from the champs, and only last year’s Devils have done that to the Cup-holders in the Finals since 1984, when the Oilers ended the Islanders’ dynasty by starting their own.
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Devils took day off yesterday, will practice at home today and fly to Denver tomorrow . . . Based on last season’s figures, the Devils have already assured themselves of some $1.5 million in playoff award money, to be divided among the team and the players, with the Devils usually matching the player pot as part of its team bonus strategy. The team also earned 500G for winning the regular season Eastern Conference title, while the Avs grabbed a total of 850G, including 250G specified for players, for taking the Presidents’ Trophy . . . Devils stand 12-6 in postseason with a 58-33 goal edge. They are 6-2 on the road with a 27-11 edge. Avs are 12-4 (50-30) and 7-2 at home (27-15).
