Jack Hughes delivered his second two-goal performance of the season against the New York Rangers, and Jacob Markstrom recorded his second consecutive shutout as the New Jersey Devils dominated in a 5-0 win on Monday night.
Timo Meier, Stefan Noesen, and Dawson Mercer also scored for the Devils, who improved to 7-2-1 in December. Hughes, who added an assist on the final goal, finished with a three-point night.
Markstrom, fresh off a shutout of the Penguins on Saturday, stopped all 12 shots he faced in another strong performance. His standout save came early in the third period when he denied Artemi Panarin’s attempt from the left circle.
Jonathan Quick made 25 saves for the Rangers, who have lost 13 of their last 17 games. Chris Kreider was a healthy scratch.
The game featured a physical edge, two fights, and several heated exchanges after the whistle.
Takeaways
Rangers: New York’s struggles continue, particularly on the power play, which went 0 for 4. Two penalties for too many men on the ice in the second period resulted in two of the Devils’ three power-play goals. Sloppy passing and poor discipline further compounded their issues.
Devils: New Jersey has been in excellent form since early November, posting a 16-6-1 record after starting the season with a shutout loss in Calgary on Nov. 1. Hughes has excelled against the Rangers throughout his career, with 15 goals in 22 matchups.
Key Moment
Hughes’ first goal at 4:29 of the opening period set the tone for the Devils. His shot from the left circle deflected off newly acquired Rangers defenseman Will Borgen, giving New Jersey an early lead.
Key Stats
- The Devils have limited opponents to 20 shots or fewer for seven consecutive games.
- Hughes extended his point streak against the Rangers to 11 games.
Up Next
The NHL enters its holiday break on Tuesday. The Rangers return to action Saturday against Tampa Bay, while the Devils host Carolina on Friday night.
