New York, NY— The New York Rangers overwhelmed the New Jersey Devils 6-3 on Saturday.
The Devils (14-23-6) continue their slump, dropping their fifth straight game. The Rangers (22-16-6) won their sixth home game in the last seven games.
At the start, both teams looked good, getting chances on either side. Seven minutes in, the Rangers forced a turnover for a two on one and Pavel Buchnevich slid the puck home.
Disaster struck for the Devils, with two straight penalties giving the Rangers a two-man advantage. The Rangers scored twice quickly, bringing the score up 3-0. Ryan Strome hits one top side from an odd angle on a great pass by Mika Zibanejad. Then Buchnevich scored again, sniping the puck top shelf. The Rangers dominated with 16 shots on goal in the first period.
Artemi Panarin scored 30 seconds into the second period, and it looked like the Rangers were running the Devils out of the building.
Then 12 minutes later, Michael McLeod scored over Igor Shesterkin to open the flood gates.
At the end of two, it was 4-1. After a scrum from running into Shesterkin, 4-on-4 play commenced.
P.K. Subban slapped the puck home to bring the Devils closer, and one minute later, Yegor Sharangovich scored from the slot.
With the Devils only down one goal, the Rangers were on their heels and called a timeout.
The Rangers killed a penalty to stay in the lead, and the Devils pulled their goalie.
Buchnevich scores the empty-net goal to net his first career hat trick. Chris Kreider scored another empty-net goal to salt the game away, 6-3.
Birthday Boy Buchnevich
Buchnevich scored the franchise’s first hat trick on a player’s birthday, and only the 14th in NHL history.
His line contributed 7 points this game, with Zibanejad notching 3 assists and Kreider scoring the final empty netter.
Up Next
Rangers @ Devils, Sunday, April 18, Prudential Center
