Emotions figure to run high

Scott Niedermayer is known for his ability to keep a level head in every situation, but even he concedes that today’s game will stir some different emotions.

The Ducks will play host to the New Jersey Devils in a rare afternoon game, but the contest marks the first time Niedermayer will play against the team with which he spent his first 12 NHL seasons.

“It’ll be a new experience for me playing an old team that obviously I was a part of for a long time,” Niedermayer said Thursday. “I’ll try to approach it as a regular game, but when I get out on the ice, it’ll be a bit different.”

Niedermayer’s tenure with the Devils was nothing short of an unqualified success, as they made the playoffs in all but one season and won Stanley Cups in 1995, 2000 and 2003. The 33-year-old defenseman jumped at a chance to play with brother, Rob, in signing a four-year deal with the Ducks after the lockout.

Making the game more emotional for Niedermayer will be the presence of several veteran players with whom he won championships, including Martin Brodeur, Patrik Elias, Scott Gomez and Sergei Brylin.

The Ducks, whom New Jersey defeated in the ’03 Cup finals, now have become contenders with the superstar blueliner.

“When you go through something like that, there definitely is a lot of respect for something that you accomplished together that you’re all proud of,” said Niedermayer, who met with a few Devils on Thanksgiving. “It’s unique, and it’s something that you never forget.

“A lot of those guys over there were a big part of my career, and obviously I’m very thankful to have them as teammates.”

Among those he thanked was longtime New Jersey General Manager Lou Lamoriello, who drafted him third overall in 1991 and fought hard to keep him.

“We had our few disagreements over the years with the contract situations,” said Niedermayer, who won the Norris Trophy in 2004 and was a finalist in 2006. “But, as he once told me, ‘That’s business.’

“How could you ask for more from somebody running the organization that gave you a competitive team to be part of and to win the Stanley Cups like we did?”

TODAY

vs. New Jersey, 1 p.m.,

FSN Prime Ticket

Site -- Honda Center.

Radio -- 830.

Records -- Ducks 15-2-6, Devils 12-7-1.

Record vs. Devils (2005-06) -- Did not play.

Update -- Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov has a sore groin and will not suit up; David McKee will dress as the emergency backup. The Devils had only 15 shots in a 3-1 loss Tuesday at Phoenix despite the return of Gomez, who sat out seven games because of a groin injury.

Tickets -- (877) 945-3946.

eric.stephens@latimes.com