GREENBURGH, N.Y. — It’s been 18 years since Stephane Matteau forever etched his name into hockey history with a wraparound goal that launched the New York Rangers-New Jersey Devils rivalry well beyond just a common border war.

Matteau ended Game 7 of the 1994 Eastern Conference finals with an unlikely goal in double overtime, beating goalie Martin Brodeur and the Devils and sending the Rangers toward the final step of ending a 54-year Stanley Cup curse.

The intensity and animosity has only grown over the past two decades. The Devils recovered well from the disappointment of losing such an important series to their so-called “big brothers,” and went on to win the Stanley Cup three times between 1995 and 2003, with another finals loss mixed in.

The Rangers haven’t come close to matching that run of success. This is New York’s first appearance in the conference finals since 1997 — a 4-1 series loss to Philadelphia.

Most of the names have changed from that landmark series back in 1994. Brodeur is the only player from either team to still be in the NHL, and he is still the cornerstone of the New Jersey club that will face the Rangers in this year’s East finals that open Monday night at Madison Square Garden.

No, there won’t be any “Matt-eau, Matt-eau, Matt-eau” calls in this one. But that doesn’t mean a similar situation won’t occur in another dramatic Game 7, and a name such as “Kovy, Kovy” in a Devils win or “Cally, Cally” for the Rangers will instantly become as big a part of the rivalry lore.

Brodeur is excited to be at the center of it again.

“I guess it’s kind of amazing when you look at the amount of years in between the two series,” he said Sunday. “A lot of things have changed since `94, as far as the media is concerned.

“I expect it to be just the same for the guys. They have to just enjoy the moment. This is a great time in everybody’s lives, and we need to really take it all in.”