Chris Kreider has minimal memories of the 2012 Eastern Conference Final between the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils.Adam Henrique's overtime goal in Game 6 that sent the Devils to the Stanley Cup Final stands out. So does the atmosphere in the buildings, Prudential Center and Madison Square Garden.Boston Bruins dresy 2023

But as for specifics, that's where the Rangers forward gets fuzzy. He was two weeks past his 21st birthday the last time the Rangers and Devils met in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He had never played an NHL regular-season game.

Kreider now is a savvy veteran who knows exactly what to expect when the Rangers and Devils start their highly anticipated Eastern Conference First Round best-of-7 series with Game 1 at Prudential Center on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; TBS, SN360, TVAS2, MSG2, MSGSN2, MSGSN).As Kreider noted, this installment of the "Battle of the Hudson" will look different than the previous six (1992, 1994, 1997, 2006, 2008 and 2012).

In the 2012 series, the Rangers and Devils combined to average 4.83 goals per game, which was right on par with the NHL playoff average that year of 4.84.The Devils scored 3.52 goals per game this season, fifth in the NHL. The Rangers were 12th with 3.33. The NHL average was 6.36. The average in the playoffs last season was 6.31.The biggest difference in 11 years is noticeable with these two teams: Speed.

The Devils' team speed will present the biggest challenge to the Rangers, as it did in their four regular-season games, three won by New Jersey.Guarding against the Rangers' skill, especially when they use it after generating speed off the rush, is the biggest challenge in New Jersey's game plan.The Devils have to contend with Igor Shesterkin, who won the Vezina Trophy as the best goalie in the NHL last season and enters the series playing his best this season with 12 wins, a 1.98 goals-against average and .934 save percentage in his past 16 starts.

If there is one decided advantage for the Rangers in this series, it is in goal with Shesterkin because of his award-winning pedigree, performance down the stretch and playoff experience, having gone 10-9 with a 2.59 GAA and .929 save percentage in the playoffs last year.

Devils goalie Vitek Vanecek had a strong season with 33 wins, a 2.45 GAA and .911 save percentage in 52 games (48 starts). But he has played three NHL playoff games, winning one and posting a 4.25 GAA and .855 save percentage.

Experience could be a factor, and it's heavily on the Rangers' side with their 24 active roster players accounting for a total of 866 NHL playoff games played versus the Devils' 25 players totaling 479, of which Ondrej Palat accounts for 138.

For the Devils, Jack Hughes, Dawson Mercer, Yegor Sharangovich, Michael McLeod, Jesper Boqvist, Kevin Bahl and Luke Hughes have never played an NHL playoff game. Bratt has played one. Damon Severson has four. Nico Hischier and Miles Wood have five.Every Rangers player expected to play in this series has played at least 16 playoff games.levné NHL dresy

But the Rangers know better than to make a big deal out of experience. They were the inexperienced team entering the first round last season against the Pittsburgh Penguins, who were loaded with playoff veterans and Stanley Cup championship rings.