full

full
Published on:

1st Jan 2026

Greatest Playoff Series Ever: 1994 Rangers-Devils Conference Final with Mike Richter & Stephane Matteau

Mike Richter and Stephane Matteau join Neil and Vic to relive the greatest playoff series in NHL history - the 1994 Eastern Conference Final between the Rangers and Devils. From three double-overtime games to Mark Messier's legendary guarantee and hat trick in Game 6, this seven-game war had everything. Hear Matteau describe both overtime winners, Richter walk through his Game 6 brilliance while down 2-0, Neil's fury at Mike Keenan's benching decisions, and the pure joy when "Matteau! Matteau! Matteau!" became the call heard 'round New York. This is the series that defined championship hockey.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Welcome to Episode 3: A Series for the Ages, Eastern Conference Final vs New Jersey Devils

[02:00] - Mike Richter and Stephane Matteau join Neil to relive the greatest playoff series ever

[03:00] - Neil as historian: few series stand test of time like Rangers-Devils 1994, Montreal-Boston 1979 caliber

[04:00] - Two rivals, first vs second overall, both chasing first Cup, Hall of Famers on both sides

[05:00] - Regular season dominance: 6-0 against Devils, Mike in 5 games allowing only 6 goals total

[06:00] - Mike on confidence heading in: trade deadline bolstering lineup, 8-1 through two rounds

[08:00] - Stephane's arrival: no idea what was coming, surrounded by greatness and leadership

[09:00] - Kevin Lowe and Craig MacTavish whispering to Mark what to say next - soldiers behind captain

[10:00] - Game 1: three separate leads, Larmer goal with 9 minutes left, Lemieux ties with 43 seconds

[11:00] - Stephane Richer OT winner: Adam Graves forced to play defense, poke check fails

[12:00] - Mike on momentum shifts: 8-1 doesn't look good when you're 8-2, must-win Game 2 immediately

[14:00] - Game 2: Mark Messier putting team on shoulders - Scott Stevens on his ass, Ken Daneyko hit, goal in 73 seconds

[15:00] - Neil on Mark: "I didn't know he was THAT good" - confidence he gave everyone by his actions

[16:00] - Stephane on Messier's glare: witnessed it from Calgary side losing Game 7 to Oilers

[17:00] - Great players don't get shut down twice in a row - Mark leading by example

[18:00] - Mike's fourth shutout: two-man advantage survival, Bill Guerin glove save, complete team game

[20:00] - Game 3 greatness lost in context: three double OT games total, this one often forgotten

[21:00] - Neil's memory: watching with team doctors, jumping up and down when Steph scored

[22:00] - Mike having a blast: fun slug fest, two best teams seven miles apart, zoo atmosphere

[24:00] - Tommy Albelin consecutive saves: Glenn Anderson crashing into Mike, both making save together

[25:00] - Momentum shift importance: save taken back, then Steph scores the dagger

[27:00] - Series getting nasty: Bernie Nicholls crosscheck suspends him, fever pitch ramping up

[28:00] - Stephane's Game 3 OT goal: "I was just warming up obviously, it was my first double overtime"

[29:00] - Puck in skate, whacking at it, red light, realizing "I scored" - biggest goal of my life at that moment

[30:00] - Claude Lemieux's stick fling against boards: Devils' frustration as series builds

[32:00] - Game 4 unraveling: Devils score twice quickly, Mike pulled in under 17 minutes by Keenan

[33:00] - Mike on Keenan's MO: benching everyone, Jay Wells dying, Leetch off power play

[35:00] - Game 5: Bernie Nicholls shorthanded goal, never feeling in game, losing 4-1

[36:00] - Neil's fury: "unconscionable" pulling Richter, benching Karpovtsev, self-inflicted wounds

[37:00] - "Friendly fire" - five-year project about to blow up at the last moment

[38:00] - Neil on Messier's guarantee: "Thank God, the one guy who has control just guaranteed we're gonna win"

[39:00] - Messier's October 1991 arrival: whole reason for acquiring Mark - slay the dragon moment

[40:00] - Stephane never reading papers: didn't hear guarantee until months later, focusing on must-win

[41:00] - Mike not reading press either: "No problem, we got Steph Matteau"

[42:00] - Context of guarantee: crisis of confidence, press blood in water, Mark walked there by questions

[43:00] - Locker room laughing: "What the F is he thinking?" - even Tikkanen smiled, room exploded

[44:00] - Game 6 reality: down 2-0 first period, on verge of being blown out to New Jersey Turnpike

[45:00] - Keenan moves: putting Kovalev on Messier's wing, Devils' forecheck lightening up, Kovalev scores before second ends

[46:00] - Stephane witnessing greatness: Mike's saves keeping them in game 6-10 times, one more goal would've been over

[47:00] - Mike refusing to look at bench: "Do not pull me, I felt great, stay the damn course"

[48:00] - Messier's hat trick: first goal changes complexion, third goal - turns around, throws puck straight down

[49:00] - Neil being taunted at Meadowlands: "Back to the drawing board, Neil!" - guy disappearing after comeback

[50:00] - Neil witnessing greatness: Joe Namath Super Bowl, Reggie Jackson 3 homers, now Messier guarantee hat trick

[51:00] - Game 7 setup: Frank Brown's Daily News column simply saying "Thank you" before the game

[52:00] - Brian Leetch's spin-o-rama goal: seeing Billy Guerin do similar move, pulling it out of nowhere

[54:00] - Quick whistle controversy: Billy McCreary with 15-18 seconds left, Mike clears puck but whistle already blown

[55:00] - Valeri Zelepukin goal 7.7 seconds left: blood rushing to head, seconds from Stanley Cup Finals favorite

[56:00] - Locker room between regulation and OT: silent first 5-7 minutes, Kevin Lowe turning it positive

[58:00] - Stefan Richer save before Matteau goal: disappearing puck, ping-ponging in front, getting possession back

[59:00] - Stefan Che shot from left circle: spectacular save, puck leaking out right side of net

[01:00:00] - Kevin Lowe in OT intermission: "If it wasn't so hard, it wouldn't be so much fun when we win"

[01:02:00] - Heavy team advantage: greasy goals from guys like Steph able to get territorial advantage

[01:03:00] - Eddie Olczyk good luck ritual: Game 3 touching stick in hallway, Game 7 dancing with it making Steph relax

[01:04:00] - The goal: good jump, Niedermayer hook turning body toward net, no plan - "pure luck"

[01:05:00] - Hole between Brodeur's glove and post: "I didn't know if I scored or Tikkanen scored, didn't care"

[01:06:00] - Tikkanen claiming he touched it: "I don't care Esa, we're going to Stanley Cup Final!"

[01:07:00] - Mike's perfect view 180 feet away: "Oh my God, did that actually go in?" - slow motion eruption

[01:09:00] - Neil's perspective three stories above: Matteau's reaction told him puck was in before red light

[01:10:00] - Joy equal to final buzzer vs Vancouver: different place in time, same pure elation

[01:12:00] - Soldiers being rewarded: guys doing hard work all year, Steph integrating into veteran team

[01:13:00] - Stephane's gratitude: "Neil had the guts to pull the trigger" - best series ever experienced

[01:15:00] - Neil's final point: take one person out, we don't win - Benny Patrisse to Mike Richter

[01:16:00] - Every single person important: Mark Messier teaching that lesson to entire organization

[01:18:00] - Neil and Steph's first meeting: Bon Jovi concert in Detroit when Matteau was 18, pre-draft

[01:19:00] - Mike's thanks to Neil: "You could have traded me, you made it happen after 54 years"

[01:20:00] - 30 years later: still rock stars in New York, Steph as proud ambassador meeting fans daily

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NYRangers #NewYorkRangers #1994StanleyCup #MikeRichter #StephaneMatteau #NeilSmith #MarkMessier #NewJerseyDevils #EasternConferenceFinal #MatteauMatteauMatteau #MessierGuarantee #BrianLeetch #MartyBrodeur #ScottStevens #ClaudeLemieux #ValeriZelepukin #BillGuerin #SergeiZubov #AlexeiKovalev #BernieNicholls #MikeKeenan #DoubleOvertime #Game7 #PlayoffHistory #GreatestSeriesEver #HowieRose #MadisonSquareGarden #Meadowlands #BrendanByrneArena #1994Forever #RangersHistory #54YearDrought





for Youtube first

4:33 PM





YouTube-Optimized Show Notes - 1994 Rangers Episode 3:

Mike Richter and Stephane Matteau relive the greatest playoff series in NHL history - the 1994 Eastern Conference Final between Rangers and Devils. From three double-overtime games to Mark Messier's legendary guarantee and hat trick in Game 6, this seven-game war had everything. Hear Matteau describe both OT winners, Richter's Game 6 brilliance while down 2-0, and the pure joy when "Matteau! Matteau! Matteau!" became the call heard 'round New York.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Episode 3: Series for the Ages vs Devils [04:00] - First vs second overall, Hall of Famers both sides [06:00] - 6-0 vs Devils in regular season, 8-1 through two rounds [10:00] - Game 1: three leads, Lemieux ties 43 seconds left [12:00] - Momentum shifts: must-win Game 2 [14:00] - Messier puts Stevens on his ass, 73-second goal [18:00] - Richter's fourth shutout, complete game [21:00] - Game 3 OT: Tommy Albelin consecutive saves [28:00] - Matteau's first OT goal: "Just warming up" [32:00] - Game 4 meltdown: Richter pulled, Keenan benching everyone [36:00] - Neil's fury: "Self-inflicted wounds, friendly fire" [39:00] - The Guarantee: Messier moment arrives [42:00] - Locker room laughing: "What's he thinking?" [44:00] - Game 6: down 2-0, verge of elimination [47:00] - Richter refusing to look at bench [48:00] - Messier hat trick: backing up guarantee [51:00] - Game 7: Leetch spin-o-rama goal [54:00] - Quick whistle controversy [55:00] - Zelepukin 7.7 seconds left [58:00] - Richer save before Matteau goal [01:03:00] - Eddie O good luck ritual [01:04:00] - THE GOAL: "Pure luck, no plan" [01:07:00] - Mike's view: "Did that go in?" [01:09:00] - Neil three stories above: Matteau's reaction [01:18:00] - Neil and Steph: Bon Jovi concert connection [01:20:00] - 30 years later: still rock stars

#NYRangers #1994StanleyCup #MikeRichter #StephaneMatteau #Matteau #MessierGuarantee #MarkMessier #NewJerseyDevils #DoubleOvertime #Game7 #PlayoffHistory #1994Forever

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

Show artwork for NHL Wraparound Podcast

About the Podcast

NHL Wraparound Podcast
Neil Smith & Vic Morren
Breadth and depth.
Contemporary and historical.
Straight-forward and experienced.
The NHL Wraparound podcast features Neil Smith, President-General Manager of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers and longtime ESPN/NHL veteran Vic Morren sharing no-nonsense opinions on news and issues around the National Hockey League.

Bringing decades of experience from their respective fields, Smith and Morren create a unique partnership that examines the NHL from multiple perspectives. Additionally, as hockey historians, the pair can delve into any topic in today’s game and enlighten the audience with connections to events from previous years. To truly appreciate where hockey stands today, one needs to understand its past.

With 2024 marking the 30th anniversary of the Rangers last championship season, a special five-part series is planned to commemorate that magical run. Expect fascinating behind-the-scenes stories and special guests with particular focus on the GM who pushed all of his chips into the middle of the table amidst the most pressurized environments – and came out on top.

Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned fan, each episode of NHL Wraparound will leave you entertained and informed.


Bio’s
Neil S. Smith, highly regarded NHL executive, served as the President and General Manager of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers. During his eleven years with the team, they achieved significant success, including three division titles, two Presidents’ Trophies, one Eastern Conference Championship, and a historic Stanley Cup victory—the franchise’s first in 54 years.

Known for his expertise in professional sports franchise economics, Smith played a pivotal role in management decisions under four different Rangers owners.. His tenure saw iconic trades and acquisitions, including Hall of Famers Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky, as well as successful drafts and free-agent signings.

Starting as a pro scout, Smith's career highlights include the impactful 1989 draft for the Detroit Red Wings and bold trades that shaped NHL history. He briefly served as GM for the New York Islanders in 2006, later working as a consultant for the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.

A Toronto native, Smith's hockey journey began in junior leagues before a distinguished college career at Western Michigan University. He has received numerous awards and distinctions, including induction into the University's Sports Hall of Fame in 1991.

Vic Morren: Born in New York City close to the Old Madison Square Garden, Vic Morren has had hockey in his blood his entire life as a fan, player and television production manager.

A graduate of William Paterson University, Morren skated for three seasons with the Pioneers hockey club and became the first statistical analyst to apply his craft to telecasts working New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils games from 1984-87. He co-authored two NHL-based statistics books within that span before moving to ESPN in 1987 and working the final season of the original deal the network had with the NHL.
After departing in 1990, Morren worked as a studio producer for SportsChannel America’s NHL coverage and the 1992 Barcelona Olympics before returning to ESPN that fall where he worked all 12 seasons on the second ESPN/NHL deal and the first season of the most recent contract in 2021-22. Morren has also earned a Sports Emmy for his work on Sunday Night Football coverage in 2003.

His relationship with Neil Smith dates back 33 years through their mutual friendship with the late ESPN/ABC commentator John Saunders. Morren looks forward to NHL Wraparound and collaborating with Smith with the goal to provide an experience of contemporary viewpoints, historical spin and an overall enriching podcast experience.