Stepan and Prust hug it out after Rangers win series (PHOTO)

The New York Rangers defeated the Montreal Canadiens, 1-0, in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final, advancing to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in 20 years.

Meaning it was time for one of the greatest traditions in hockey – the postgame handshake line.

All eyes were on Derek Stepan of the Rangers and Brandon Prust of the Canadiens, after Prust broke the jaw of the former teammate on an illegal hit in Game 3.

Prust was suspended two games for the incident, meaning his first game back was the elimination game.

And it looked like all was forgiven.

Stepan and Prust. This is what the Stanley Cup Playoffs are all about #Respect #Brotherhood pic.twitter.com/ga4JEyjrlr
— The Canadian Game (@ItsCanadasGame) May 30, 2014

When they met, they embraced, with Prust putting his hand on the helmet of Stepan, inches from the custom-made protective mask Stepan has worn since his return to the lineup.

“I’m not going to hold that against him,” said Stepan. “He finished his check. He feels bad about it. He knows it was late. And we move on from there.”

Prust previously expressed regret over the injury to Stepan, whom he considers a friend.

"Once I found out he had a broken jaw, I reached out to him," Prust said."I told him I feel awful. I didn't want to injury anybody, especially a friend of mine."

Here's the brutal hit just to refresh your memory:



Another reason hockey has its fans.