Fittingly, it’s a nasty day in the big city. The heavy rain is a perfect backdrop for tonight’s final regular season meeting between the Devils and Rangers. It promises to be intense.

Coming off another brutal loss, this time blowing a two-goal lead to the Penguins in embarrassing fashion by allowing the last five goals in the third period, the Devils sit six points out of the playoffs with seven games remaining. They basically need to run the table.

Considering how classic an underachieving team they’ve been, that’s about as likely as you or I landing on the moon. April 3 has been circled on the Devils’ calendar for a while. On Mar. 11, Rangers rookie forward Matt Rempe knocked Jonas Siegenthaler out of the game with an illegal check that resulted in an elbowing major and game misconduct. He served a four-game suspension for concussing Siegenthaler.

Siegenthaler just returned to the Devils’ lineup last night. He missed three weeks due to the dirty hit by Rempe, who didn’t accept Kurtis MacDermid’s challenge. When he left the ice, he waved goodbye to MacDermid, who had some harsh words afterwards. 

With MacDermid expected to be back for the Devils just in time for tonight’s game at Madison Square Garden, you know what’s coming. Unlike last time when he wouldn’t oblige MacDermid, Rempe knows that he must be accountable for his actions. If he’s smart, he’ll get it out of the way early.

When he’s played at The Garden, the 21-year-old has heard his name chanted by the crowd. They love what he brings. Rempe understands that he must play between the lines. He can’t take such undisciplined penalties. The energy he brings can help the Rangers. It’s an honest style that fans and teammates appreciate.

For his part, Rempe expressed remorse over injuring Siegenthaler. However, the Devils will be out for blood. This one could get ugly. That all depends on how the close Hudson rival decides to play. They can still keep their feint playoff hopes alive. But Rempe will play with a target on his back.

By inserting Rempe back into the lineup, Rangers coach Peter Laviolette looks to have changed his mind on who comes out. A day after Will Cuylle skated as an extra, Jonny Brodzinski was on the ice late. That likely means he’ll be a healthy scratch.

Brodzinski has been a nice story. He has contributed since coming up from the Wolf Pack. The 30-year-old veteran has posted six goals and 11 assists for 17 points in 53 games. He was re-signed for another year for the hard work he’s put in. He brings more skating to the lineup.

Cuylle has been a gritty first-year player for the Rangers. Having spent most of the season playing on the third line, he’s added grit and physicality to the lineup. He’s also scored a dozen goals and added eight helpers while pacing the club with 237 hits. That’s an element they need.

Lately, he’s been used on the fourth line. Cuylle hasn’t gotten as many shifts. He’s a better fit when he plays with Alex Wennberg and Kaapo Kakko in the top nine. Having that sandpaper is important. Especially in a playoff series.

It’s understood that Cuylle made a mistake that led to a Pens’ breakaway goal scored by Emil Bemstrom in a 5-2 loss on Monday night. He tried to make a low percentage play inside his blue line. Those are the ones any player has to avoid.

If Laviolette was trying to get his attention yesterday, maybe he got the message. We’ll find out later. He expects better from a young player who’s graduated from just being a rookie.

The other story is the return of Erik Gustafsson. A good offensive skating defenseman who’s put up 30 points in 70 games, he was struggling defensively before an injury forced him out of action.

With Zac Jones providing consistent play when he filled in for Jacob Trouba, Ryan Lindgren, and Gustafsson, a case can be made for Jones to remain in the lineup. He played steady and heady on the blue line. Jones’ confidence has never been higher.

Laviolette has the final seven games to decide which player is best suited for playing on the third pair with Braden Schneider. Given that he likes Gustafsson, Laviolette will give him every chance to start the playoffs.

If Gustafsson struggles, then the coach will face an interesting decision. Jones has proven he belongs. We’ll see what happens.

The main event on Wednesday night should come early. Rempe should square off with MacDermid. How the game plays out will be interesting. Expect some fireworks.