Devils Goalie Martin Brodeur: I (Don't) Love NY

NEW YORK (WFAN) -- Sure, the boroughs are abuzz with hockey fever. But New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur is more concerned with the scene across the Hudson.

"New York doesn't give me any special (feeling)," he said Sunday, according to the New York Post. "I don't even go into New York."

Except to play the Rangers. The Devils' long wait to begin the Eastern Conference finals will end Monday night when they face off against New York at Madison Square Garden.

New Jersey last played on Tuesday when they ousted Philadelphia in Game 5 of the second round.

"I've tried to do my homework," Brodeur said of the long layoff. "But for us, it's about doing what we do, and taking care of ourselves. That's how we can be successful."

The Devils have won their last four trips to the conference finals (1995, 2000, 2001, and 2003). They took the Stanley Cup three of those years, 2001 being the lone disappointment.

But history isn't exactly on their side in the Hudson River rivalry. New Jersey suffered playoff defeats to New York in 1992, 1994, 1997 and 2008. Their only postseason victory against the Rangers came in a 2006 sweep.

As for the regular season? New Jersey went 3-3 against John Tortorella's squad in 2011-12.

"I guess it's kind of amazing when you look at the amount of years in between the two series," said Brodeur. "A lot of things have changed since '94, as far as the media is concerned.

"I expect it to be just the same for the guys. They have to just enjoy the moment. This is a great time in everybody's lives, and we need to really take it all in. You never know when you're going to get back in the situation that you're going to play for a chance to go to the Stanley Cup finals. Playing against our biggest rival, kind of puts a cherry on top."

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