New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) – Derek Stepan registered his third career
hat trick as the red-hot New York Rangers beat the New Jersey Devils 3-1 at
Madison Square Garden.
Stepan had a short-handed goal and a power-play goal before sealing the
Rangers’ season-high eighth straight victory by scoring into an empty net with
55 seconds left in the game.
Henrik Lundqvist stopped 19-of-20 shots in his 600th career game.
Cory Schneider made 25 saves and Steve Bernier scored for the Devils, who
played their first game since head coach Peter DeBoer was fired on Friday.
New Jersey president and general manager Lou Lamoriello announced before
Saturday’s game that he will go behind the bench with Adam Oates and Scott
Stevens. Oates will handle the forwards and Stevens will oversee the defense.
The Devils have dropped three straight and eight of nine overall.
