Igor Shesterkin stopped 27 shots, Chris Kreider scored two power-play goals and the New York Rangers stunned the New Jersey Devils 5-1 on Tuesday night in Game 1 of the East’s first-round series. .
Vladimir Tarasenko, Ryan Lindgren and Filip Chytil also shook the net for Rangers.
Adam Fox had four assists and Artemi Panarin added two in the seventh meeting between the two teams in the playoffs, the first since 2012.
When the Devils looked threatening, they either missed the net or Shesterkin pushed them away.
Their only goal came on a penalty shot from Jack Hughes 2:46 from the end of the match. Vitek Vanecek made 18 saves.
The Rangers also won the special teams battle. Kreider scored on two of three playoffs and the Rangers stopped the Devils on four powerplays.
Rangers set the tone in the opening 10 minutes and never looked back. They hit, blocked shots and were very physical around the net.
Game 2 is Thursday night, again in New Jersey.
