Stanley Cup and Cheesecake 2012 - Eastern Conference Finals

(1) New York Rangers vs. (6) New Jersey Devils

So here are the Rangers, right where it seemed like they'd end up all season, in the Eastern Conference Finals. It's been no easy ride though, needing two game sevens to finally vanquish the East's two lowest-ranked teams. Now in come the arch-rival Devils.

The Devils have been inspiring and even (gasp) exciting in their two series wins, taking a full seven games to beat Florida before essentially sweeping the outclassed and overrated Flyers. Lower-seed or no, they seem to be hitting on all cylinders right now, and figure to be a much sturdier test for the NYR than they would've seemed a month ago.

I'm wracked with indecision about this one; the Devils are more than capable of the upset, especially in light of their impressive showings against Florida and Philly. That said, neither Florida or Philly was really very good; the Rangers most certainly are, if more on paper than in the previous two series. I wouldn't be surprised to see either team sweep, and I'd likewise be unsurprised to see it go the whole way...which is why I'll unconfidently go with Rangers in Seven. Seeing as how it's NY/NJ, I hope at least to see some genuine animosity!