Lafreniere scores twice in shutout

NEW YORK — Alexis Lafreniere scored twice and the New York Rangers beat the Detroit Red Wings 4-0 on Saturday.

Mika Zibanejad had a goal and an assist and Frank Vatrano also scored for New York. Barclay Goodrow had two assists. Igor Shesterkin made 20 saves for his fifth shutout of the season.

Thomas Greiss had 33 saves for the Red Wings, who were shut out for the seventh time this season.

The Rangers earned their 49th win of the season, their most since finishing with 53 in 2014-15.

Zibanejad opened the scoring for the Rangers 13:44 into the first period on a 5-on-3 advantage. Greiss and Sam Gagner had each earned a delay of game penalty for the Red Wings just 31 seconds apart for sending the puck over the glass. Zibanejad’s goal gave the 28-year-old a career-high 76 points, topping his total from 201920.

“We came out strong,” Zibanejad said. “We did that from the start. Most of the game was really good. We did a lot of good things.”

New York enjoyed the majority of quality chances in the first period, outshooting Detroit 17-3. With Danny DeKeyser in the penalty box for high-sticking in the final seconds of the period, Ryan Strome nearly doubled the Rangers’ lead, but was denied by Greiss from point-blank range.

“They just kept coming at us,” Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin said.

Vatrano scored to give New York a 2-0 lead 3:46 into the second period, firing a wrist shot from the slot past Greiss for his 100th career goal.

“We were outstanding,” Rangers coach Gerard Gallant said. “We just went out there and played our game.”

Two of the Red Wings’ best chances in the second period came while short-handed.