Game On!

Alive and well. Patrik Elias and Scott Gomez.

By a remarkable scheduling coincidence, they meet on Wednesday night at The Rock for the Rangers' first trip to Newark's fabulous Prudential Center.

In a sense, it's a meeting of The Comeback Kids: both player-wise and team-wise.

Look at it this way: after being picked by everyone and our Uncle Dudley to win The Cup, Tom Renney's lads stumbled from the starting gate and only recently have looked like thoroughbreds.

Meanwhile, the Devils endured a nine-game road trip before opening their new ice palace, but have remained under .500 with rookie coach Brent Sutter.

Nevertheless, while they have bent through the storm, they have not cracked, and Monday night's 3-2 win over Sid Crosby's Penguins in Pitt underlines this point: New Jersey CAN come back from adversity.

"The guys have stayed with it," Sutter asserts. "They showed it in Pittsburgh after the Penguins tied us at two after we had been leading 2-0. We didn't get flustered, and then we found a way to win."

The primary "finder" was Elias, who accepted a radar-like, cross-ice pass from Brian Gionta and flipped it home at 14:37 of the third.

Patrik's relief reaction -- he let out a long sigh and looked to the rafters -- reflected that of his exuberant teammates and coach alike.

"It was a big goal for the team," says the former captain, who played a strong game from top to bottom as he has many times since the Pens blanked New Jersey at Newark a week ago Monday. The difference is that, goal-wise, Elias had nothing to show for it. This time, he had the winner.

Sutter correctly noted that Gionta was the architect on the play, speedily breaking down right wing after corralling the rubber in his own end. Sergei Brylin raced along the center lane with Elias on the far left.

"That was a great play by all three," adds Sutter. "And it was good to see Patty score. Hopefully, it will give him confidence."

That would be helpful, what with the Rangers crossing the Hudson with Gomez now finding comfort in his Blueshirts jersey, much like Elias has in Devils livery.

Coincidentally, both clubs have received solid efforts from their respective back-up goalies, with Steve Valiquette beating Toronto on Saturday while Kevin Weekes starred against Crosby, Inc.

"Kevin has played well in every game he's been in," notes Sutter, to which Elias inserts: "Weeksie has been unbelievable."

Still a game under .500, the Devils will have further motivation with Martin Brodeur back in goal against the Rangers, still seeking his 500th victory.

Add to that the melodrama of Gomez's first return to the Garden State, where his welcome is likely going to be less than warm.

"I hope they boo him," Elias concludes. Then a pause: "As for us, we're getting there."

How does the bromide go? Oh, yeah, "Getting there is half the fun!"

Wednesday at The Rock should be loads of laughs. Question is: Who'll be laughing just before Midnight, Patrik or Scotty? David Clarkson or Sean Avery?

Ah, rivalry; it doesn't get better than this!