EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Mark Messier scored with 3:35 left in regulation Thursday night as the New York Rangers rallied for a 4-4 tie with the New Jersey Devils in the first meeting of the season between the cross-river rivals.
New York squandered a third-period lead and fell behind, 4-3, when Sergei Brylin cashed in on a turnover by Pavel Bure with 8:56 to play.
But Messier helped the Rangers secure a point for the sixth time in their last eight games. After teammate Mikael Samuelsson was shoved and nearly knocked over the net, Messier came out on the left side and flicked a backhander past goaltender Martin Brodeur, who appeared shaky throughout.
In the 1994 Eastern Conference finals, Messier authored a signature moment when he recorded a hat trick after guaranteeing victory in Game 6. The Rangers went on to take a memorable seventh game in overtime en route to their first Stanley Cup championship in 54 years.
Linemates Petr Nedved and Radek Dvorak each had a goal and an assist for New York, which has just one win in the last 30 meetings with New Jersey.
The Devils got a goal and an assist from slumping Patrik Elias and two assists from Scott Gomez as they moved to 3
1 in overtime this season.
