Jack Hughes shone in the second period with two goals and an assist, leading the New Jersey Devils to a 4-3 victory over the New York Rangers on Tuesday night. Mackenzie Blackwood was stellar in goal, stopping 47 shots to secure the win.
Miles Wood contributed a goal and an assist, while Travis Zajac also found the net, helping the Devils remain unbeaten in regulation through three games (2-0-1). The victory also gave Devils coach Lindy Ruff, a former Rangers assistant, a win over his old team.
Starting his third consecutive game, Blackwood was a force in the net, making seven saves in the first period and 20 each in the second and third. He stood tall in the final minutes, making seven critical saves in the last 4:51.
“Everyone was committed to blocking shots and keeping the play outside, especially in the final minutes,” Blackwood said. “Closing out tight games on the road is tough, but we’re proud of how we finished strong tonight.”
Hughes credited Blackwood for the team’s early success.
“He’s the backbone of our team right now,” Hughes said. “Knowing he’s back there gives us all the confidence we need.”
Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad scored on power plays for the Rangers, while Filip Chytil added another goal. Artemi Panarin and Adam Fox each contributed two assists.
Rangers goaltender Alexandar Georgiev allowed four goals on 20 shots through two periods before being replaced by Igor Shesterkin, who made eight saves in the third.
Chytil brought the Rangers within one goal at the 7-minute mark of the third period, scoring off a rebound from a Phil Di Giuseppe shot. It was the first even-strength goal allowed by the Devils this season.
The Rangers pulled Shesterkin for an extra attacker during their sixth power play, giving them a two-man advantage with just over 2 minutes left, but they couldn’t capitalize.
“We had good pressure in the third, created some chances, but the bounces didn’t go our way,” Kreider said. “We executed our plan, but sometimes the puck doesn’t cooperate.”
After sliding hard into the boards, Zibanejad left the game with about 4 minutes remaining.
The Rangers had tied the game early in the second period when Kreider’s pass attempt deflected off Devils defenseman Ryan Murray’s skate and went through Blackwood’s legs.
Hughes quickly regained the lead for New Jersey less than 90 seconds later, capitalizing on a deflected shot by Ty Smith. Hughes added another goal on a breakaway midway through the period, slipping the puck through Georgiev’s legs.
Zibanejad cut the Devils’ lead to 3-2 with a one-timer from a sharp angle later in the period.
“We didn’t start how we wanted,” Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba said. “We got back to our game later, but we still need to work on some things.”
Wood restored the Devils’ two-goal lead on a power play, deflecting a Hughes pass into the net. It marked Wood’s third goal of the season and his 100th career point.
The Devils appeared to extend their lead further with a goal from P.K. Subban, but it was overturned after a successful offside challenge by the Rangers.
Zajac had opened the scoring just 32 seconds into the game, taking advantage of a Rangers line change.
PANARIN STAYS HOT
Artemi Panarin continued his strong start to the season, notching his second consecutive two-point game. Panarin had a career-high 95 points in 69 games during his first season with the Rangers.
MILESTONE APPROACH
Zajac’s early goal brought him within one point of his 99th career point. It was also his 18th goal against the Rangers, tying him with Bobby Holik for third-most in Devils franchise history against New York.
UP NEXT
- Devils: Travel to face the New York Islanders on Thursday night before starting a three-game homestand.
- Rangers: Head to Pittsburgh on Friday night to begin a two-game series and a four-game road trip.
