The rousing words came from the two remaining veterans of the Devils’ last Stanley Cup, their two likely future Hall of Famers.
The sermons from Martin Brodeur and Patrik Elias inspired their less-experienced teammates to stay alive when they faced elimination in Game 4 at Los Angeles to bring the Stanley Cup finals back to New Jersey. Now, after their 2-1 win Saturday night in Game 5, they’re heading back to Los Angeles to try to square the finals tomorrow and earn a shot at Game 7 in Newark on Wednesday.
It was the Flyers Brodeur and Elias referenced, but perhaps surprisingly, not the 2000 edition, against which the Devils came back to triumph from a 1-3 series deficit, but the current one.
“Marty and Patty were both talking about how we’ve already done it this year, been down in a series and won four straight. That’s what it really is, winning the last four games of a series,” defenseman Mark Fayne revealed to The Post.
The Devils blew a 3-0 lead to lose in overtime in that second-round opener against the Flyers this year, then roared back to capture the next four.
Fayne said the Devils’ legacy, personified by Brodeur, Elias and returnee Petr Sykora, makes the newer players feel part of a continuing heritage, the latest chapter being written in an already classic history book.
“I don’t know about [intimidating] the opposing side, but for us, the management, the coaching staff and the veterans on the team who have been there before definitely gives us [newer players] reassurance,” Fayne said. “They have so much pride in the crest, it makes everybody believe, even if we haven’t been through as much as they have.”
So the two likely future Hall of Famers, Brodeur and Elias, had eager listeners, such as Fayne, a second-year player out of Providence.
“They are the guys who say a couple of words of encouragement. It’s the most profound from guys of that stature,” Fayne said. “They’ve been there before and know exactly what it takes.
“When they say something, everyone listens a little more.”
Comebacks have been the trademark of these playoffs for the Devils, who have rallied from series deficits five times. Those victories have the Devils saying they believe they can come back again.
They trailed the Panthers 2-1 and 3-2 before advancing by becoming the fourth team in NHL history to win Games 6 and 7 in overtime.
After avoiding elimination twice in that series, the Devils came back on the Flyers, then promptly surrendered 1-0 and 2-1 series leads to the Rangers, shut out in 2-of-3 by Henrik Lundqvist. Then the Devils won the final three of the Battle of the Hudson to reach these finals.
“Our team faces adversity real well. It showed in the first series against Florida and against the Rangers,” Fayne said.
“I think everyone [believes],” Fayne said. “We know how close the games have been and how easily we could be up.
“We’ve done it before, winning four straight in a playoff series.”
They needed to do so again. They lost the first two at home, each 2-1 in overtime, and hope to become the first team since the 1966 Canadiens to win the Cup after losing a finals-opening pair at home.
The Devils then went it one worse by losing the third game in L.A., as well. Only the 1942 Maple Leafs won the Cup from an 0-3 hole in the finals.
“Everybody was in disbelief that we were down 3-0,” Fayne said.” We didn’t feel we deserved that.
“Guys keep saying how rare an opportunity this is. Dainius Zubrus has been 14 years between Stanley Cup finals appearances. That’s how tough it really is to get here.”
Against that backdrop of woe, Brodeur and Elias had their say. And this comeback began.