Rangers 2, Devils 0
RANGERS 2, DEVILS 0: Henrik Lundqvist made 13 saves for his NHL-leading eighth shutout as host New York sent New Jersey to its third straight loss.
Carl Hagelin scored the deciding goal and assisted on Ryan Callahan’s empty-net tally for the Rangers, who boosted their lead in the Eastern Conference to nine points over the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Hagelin got New York on the board with 3:01 left in the first period, coming up on the left doorstep and winning a scrum in front of the net to beat Martin Brodeur. Callahan and Dan Girardi recorded assists on the play
The second period turned into a much more physical battle, with the rivals combining for 11 penalties. Overall, the Rangers got the better of New Jersey in the trenches, recording 37 hits and blocking 16 shots in front of Lundqvist.
New York’s All-Star netminder has recorded three shutouts this month and has not allowed more than two goals in a game since Jan. 19.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Callahan has collected at least one point in eight of the last 10 games … Brodeur has dropped his last three starts after winning eight of his previous nine … The Devils’ slide has pushed them 12 points behind the first-place Rangers and three back of Pittsburgh for the No. 4 spot.