The New York Rangers completed a four-game sweep of the New Jersey Devils on Sunday, with Mika Zibanejad celebrating his 28th birthday by scoring the game-winning goal in a 5-3 victory.
Zibanejad’s three-minute power-play goal secured the win and kept the Rangers within four points of Boston in the tight East Division playoff race. The Bruins, who have played two fewer games, also won on Sunday, defeating Washington 6-3.
“We’ve put ourselves in a good spot, so we’re just taking it one game at a time,” Zibanejad said after the Rangers extended their season-high point streak to six games (5-0-1). “We’re focused on the next game, getting those two points, and moving forward.”
Despite building a commanding lead in both weekend games, the Rangers had to fend off strong comebacks from the Devils. On Saturday, New Jersey nearly erased a four-goal deficit, and on Sunday, they clawed back from a three-goal deficit to tie the game.
“We found a way to get it done,” Rangers coach David Quinn remarked. “Playing a team four times in a row and coming away with four wins, I don’t care how many leads you blow—what matters is finding ways to win, and that’s what we did.”
Chris Kreider, Vitali Kravtsov, Alexis Lafreniere, and Ryan Strome also scored for the Rangers, who have now gone 13-4-3 in their last 20 games. Alexandar Georgiev made 25 saves, returning for the second period after briefly leaving the ice due to his knee locking up after being hit by a shot.
The Devils showed resilience with goals from Mikhail Maltsev, Marian Studenic, and Nico Hischier, rallying from a 3-0 deficit to tie the game. Mackenzie Blackwood made 21 saves, but New Jersey extended its losing streak to six games and is now 1-8-2 in its last 11 contests.
“It’s frustrating,” Devils coach Lindy Ruff said. “I’m trying to keep the team’s spirits up. We battled back hard, but it just wasn’t enough.”
Zibanejad, who has points in six consecutive games, netted the winner on the Rangers’ sixth power play after being set up between the circles by Strome. Strome was later awarded a goal after being hooked on a breakaway with the Devils’ net empty.
“We don’t really care how we score as long as we end up with more goals than the other team and get the two points,” Zibanejad said.
The Rangers jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second period with a power-play goal by Kreider, Kravtsov’s first NHL goal, and a tally by Lafreniere. The Devils responded with goals from Maltsev late in the second period and Studenic and Hischier early in the third to tie the game.
Igor Shesterkin made two key saves late in the first period before Georgiev returned to finish the final 40 minutes.
NOTES:
- Angry Hughes: Devils center Jack Hughes was visibly frustrated after being called for a tripping penalty in the second period. He slammed his stick against the glass and received a 10-minute misconduct. The Devils scored two goals while Hughes was in the penalty box.
- Devils Debut: Forward Nolan Foote made his NHL debut, becoming the sixth Devil to debut this season. He recorded an assist on Hischier’s goal. Foote’s father, Adam, won two Stanley Cups with the Colorado Avalanche.
Game Notes:
Rangers defenseman Anthony Bitetto returned to the lineup after a 27-game absence. Chris Kreider’s goal was his 10th on the power play, tying him with Pavel Buchnevich for the team lead in goals with 19. Devils forward Andreas Johnsson snapped a 13-game point drought with an assist on Studenic’s goal.
UP NEXT:
- Rangers: Visit the Islanders on Tuesday.
- Devils: Travel to Pittsburgh for the first three straight games against the Penguins.
