Adam Graves, a member of the last Rangers team to the win the Stanley Cup in 1994, chatted on the street yesterday with Steve Serby, on the eve of the Blueshirts meeting the Devils in the Eastern Conference final.

Q: When did you find out about Mark Messier’s Game 6 guarantee against the Devils?

A: I think it was the next day. If there was one player that I’d ever come across watching playing as a kid now, that big game I’d want on my team, it’d be No. 11.

Q: What was your reaction and among the team?

A: He just wanted to reinstill that confidence, and maybe take some pressure off the guys.

Q: Did it work?

A: I’d say so (laugh). He made it work!

Q: Were guys talking about it before Game 6?

A: I think everyone was focused on playing, and as you know, that series — and I say this in the most respectful way — that was a war in every respect, a hockey war: You had to fight for every inch of ice, and every puck was a battle. You literally had to fight for this block of ice, and then that block of ice.

Q: Will this Rangers-Devils series be similar?

A: I think so. It’s going to be a battle for every inch of ice. And certainly the Rangers are a team that pride themselves on work ethic, and they are a consummate team.

I think it’s got the makings of another historic Battle of the Hudson.

Q: Did you guys hate the Devils?

A: Well I think there was a healthy dislike (smile). Hate is a strong word. … I don’t want to say dislike — there was a healthy respect, but you enjoyed battling them. Both teams brought the best out in each other. In the years that I was lucky enough to be a Ranger, the Devils were probably as big a rival as I played against as a player.

Q: Mike Keenan’s message in 1994 training camp?

A: I think he showed a video. It was footage of the Canyon of Champions. I’m not sure if it was the Yankees, and I can’t remember exactly when it was, I just recall that being a focal point of “This is where we want to be.” But I think when the culture kind of changed as far as the focus in outwardly talking about the Cup was when Mess arrived. ’Cause before, it was almost like there was a lot of apprehension around things that had transpired in previous years and decades and whatnot. And when Mark came in, he was like, “Let’s talk about it. This is what we want to do.” And I think when Mike came in, he kind of picked up on the same kind of theme that Mark had brought with him from Edmonton.

Q: Mess arrived the second game of the ’91 season.

A: It’s a bad trivia question, but I wore No. 11 (chuckle). For one game. Just about ruined the number!

Q: What made him such a great leader?

A: I don’t think I’ve ever played with, or have known anyone inside the game that loves the game more, has more respect for the game. And he was able to lead. In every respect of the word — whether it was when things had to be said, when things had to be done to back it up, emotionally, physically, mentally. And at the same time, I truly believe that he gets a great deal of his strength from his family, and what better message is that?

Q: What intangible trait did the ’94 Rangers have that made you champions?

A: Certainly it started with leadership with Mark, but I just believe it was belief in each other, and teamwork. We needed all 20 guys. Everyone had a particular role.

Q: Does this Rangers team have similar intangibles?

A; If I could describe this current Rangers team in one word it would be “team.” I think that’s the greatest compliment I can give them is they’re a team.

Q: So in that way they remind you of your team.

A: Yes.

Q: Did the “1940” chants motivate you guys?

A: Without question. I don’t think you need that, but we heard those “1940” chants for sure.

Q: Did it tick you guys off?

A: (Laugh) It’s not something we enjoyed, that’s for sure. You didn’t need motivation, but it was nice to not have to hear anymore.

Q: Why do the players seem to respect John Tortorella?

A: I think just because he’s honest, and he cares.

Q: You had won a Cup with Messier in Edmonton.

A: The way he treated me from the first day I was traded to Edmonton (from Detroit) in November of [’89], from picking me up basically right around the airport, bringing me to his place for pre-game meals to get me settled in, and the other young guys, he just treated us like family. Not just Mark, but Paul and the entire Messier family. I had seen exactly what you saw in Game 6 against the Devils. I had seen that previous, Game 4 against Chicago in the 1990 playoffs. We were down two games to one, we had lost the previous game in Chicago, old Chicago Stadium, 5-1, and he put on a performance for the ages.

Q: What was that feeling like holding the Cup that year?

A: For me, my most vivid memory at the Boston Garden standing on the padded bench with about 15-20 seconds left, we were up 4-1, and trying to locate my mom and dad, particularly my dad up in the stands, and pinching yourself almost, like it can’t be true, and getting my dad and mom down to the dressing room, and have them drink out of the Cup (smile).

Q: Were you guys as comfortable and confident in Mike Richter as these guys are in Henrik Lundqvist?

A: I think where they’re very similar is that Mike was very prepared, like he kept himself in fantastic shape, he had his routine, he was very structured in everything he did, and I believe Henrik is the same way.

Q: What made the young Martin Brodeur so difficult?

A: Part of it is I think work ethic, part of it is your mental toughness, and part of it your physical abilities and part of it is your hockey awareness or game awareness, hockey sense. To have the success that he’s had, you know that he’s strong in all those areas.

Q: What was so great about being a New York Ranger?

A: Oh, there’s so many things. The greatest gift of being a New York Ranger is the people, from within the locker room to in the community to within the organization … but … it was just wearing that jersey … playing on the Garden ice, and the pride that you have with the tradition and the history and being able to be a part of that history. And sharing it with the people you got to share it with.