Game-time decision: Will NYR face Devils next or a hellish Game 7?

Ilya Kovalchuk #17 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates his... — Ilya Kovalchuk #17 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates his powerplay goal at 5:00 of the third period against the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. (May 8, 2012) Credit: Getty Images

By Steve ZipayMay 9, 2012

Greetings from Washington again, where the Rangers can control their next step:

With a win, the Blueshirts would advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 1997 and face the Devils, who eliminated the Flyers last night, with the series beginning at MSG this weekend.

The Rangers would return to the Garden for Saturday’s second do-or-die Game 7 in about two weeks.

Both teams are practicing at Verizon Center this morning, and taxicabs and traffic willing. (boy, there was some classic gridlock downtown last night), I’ll be there in a bit.

So follow me on Twitter (@stevezipay, of course), for real-time reports, and here later for a more detailed account and update.

Plenty of set-up material from the coach, Brad Richards, Mike Rupp, John Mitchell, and more here on newsday.com