Tonight at the Prudential Center in Newark, the Rangers and Devils will drop the puck on the 2008 playoffs in what should be a compelling first-round series. The NHL’s current schedule format provides for eight games against division rivals, and so the adage “familiarity breeds contempt” will certainly apply to these two teams.

The Devils secured home-ice advantage with their shoot-out victory over the Rangers in Sunday’s regular season finale — but the Rangers won the other seven meetings between the teams. The Rangers have also won three of four playoff series between the teams (1992, 1994, and 1997, but not 2006), and there’s good reason to believe that the Blueshirts will emerge victorious in this series as well.

Every year, more of the Devils’ core from their Cup-winning teams dissipates. The latest defectors are Scott Gomez (now with the Rangers) and Brian Rafalski (Detroit Red Wings), and the Devils really haven’t managed to replace either player’s valuable production.

The fact that Gomez now suits up for the Rangers has raised the stakes in this rivalry. Unlike previous instances where the Rangers poached high-profile free agents away from the Devils (Bruce Driver and Bobby Holik), Gomez has been a very good fit on Broadway. The talented playmaking center finished second on the team in scoring (with 70 points in 81 games), appearing to get more and more comfortable with his new team as the season progressed.

But while Gomez’s presence on the Rangers has a double impact on this series, the Devils might miss Rafalski even more. This season, Rafalski was stellar for the Red Wings, tallying 55 points in 73 games (including 10 power play goals). Meanwhile, blueliners Paul Martin and Johnny Oduya were the Devils’ top producers, combining for 58 points in 148 games (and only four power play goals). While Rafalski’s shot from the point isn’t particularly fearsome, it’s deadly accurate. And without that threat, the Devils’ forwards have found it far more difficult to be productive down low.

Of course, the Devils have never been known for their offensive prowess, the one exception being 2000–01 (when the 295 goals they scored were the most by any NHL club in the eight seasons preceding the 2004–05 lockout). But where they at least had four skaters crack the 60-point barrier last season, only one skater did so this year (Zach Parise, 65 points). And though their pack-like approach to defense remains maddeningly effective (at least for the opposition), they simply don’t have enough firepower to outscore the Rangers.

For the Blueshirts, Jaromir Jagr was effective down the stretch, scoring eight points in the season’s final five games (including five goals). Should he continue that torrid pace and manage to capture the Conn Smythe Trophy (playoff MVP), it will trigger a lucrative one-year contract extension. And although clutch performers Chris Drury and Brendan Shanahan combined for only 48 goals during the regular season, it’s a good bet that their presences will also be felt in the postseason, particularly when the Rangers play with the man advantage.

The Devils’ biggest edge is goaltender Martin Brodeur, whose excellence cannot possibly be overstated. Arguably the finest netminder in NHL history, his greatest strength is his ability to consistently deliver elite level performances. Night in and night out, the Devils know exactly what to expect from Brodeur, and if anything, his performances have gotten even better as the years have gone by. He is the biggest difference-maker in the NHL, even more so than Sidney Crosby or Alexander Ovechkin; without him, this Devils team would be contemplating its spot in the draft lottery rather than preparing for the playoffs.

Unfortunately for New Jersey, the edge Brodeur provides is mitigated considerably by the Rangers’ own top-notch netminder. Henrik Lundqvist, a Vezina Trophy winner in each of his first two seasons, has proven capable of matching Brodeur save-for-save. And given the huge disparity in talent throughout the rest of the respective lineups, all Lundqvist must do is come close to equaling Brodeur in order for the Rangers to secure victory in this series.

One seemingly huge wild card in the series is Rangers instigator Sean Avery, who has demonstrated a propensity for getting under Brodeur’s skin. If he’s able to do so here, this could be a very short series in the Rangers’ favor. But while the risk of Avery going overboard — and earning a lengthy stay in the penalty box — could derail the Rangers against a team such as the Penguins (whose power play is fearsome), the Devils’ popgun offense isn’t well prepared to take advantage of any opportunities the sometimes undisciplined Avery might present.

The Devils’ consistently strong play is commendable, as is Brodeur’s perennial excellence, but the Rangers match up favorably in virtually every meaningful area. Look for the Blueshirts to come away with victory in what will be a hard-fought six-game series.

Mr. Greenstein is the editor in chief of InsideHockey.com.