Rangers top Devils for 3rd time in 5 days
NEW YORK — Pavel Buchnevich gave himself a birthday present and the New York Rangers another muchneeded win in their pursuit of the playoffs.
Buchnevich scored his first career hat trick and the streaking Rangers beat the New Jersey Devils 6- 3 on Saturday for their third win over their Hudson River rivals in five days.
“Obviously he is a very good player with very big hockey IQ,” said teammate Artemi Panarin, who had a goal and three assists. “I want to wish him a happy birthday, especially he scores a hat trick. He played a huge role in this team defensively, penalty killing, offensively. He is a very important member of this team.”
The 26- year- old Buchnevich has taken major strides in his fifth season. His 19 goals lead the team despite not being on the No. 1 power play unit. He is also killing penalties this season.
“I guess I understand my body better,” Buchnevich said. “I think for every player, it’s tough for a young player to start picking it up right away. Hopefully I keep going and play a better 200- foot game.”
Ryan Strome had a goal and an assist in a three- goal first- period outburst as the Rangers improved to 12- 4- 3 in their last 19 games.
“It’s really good to see that we’ve put ourselves in this position to be playing meaningful hockey, be four points out of a playoff spot with 12 games to go,” Rangers coach Dave Quinn said. “I mean, anything could happen moving forward here.”
With rookie goaltender Igor Shesterkin going for his third straight shutout, the Rangers took a nap after taking a 4- 0 lead.
Michael McLeod broke Shesterkin’s shutout streak at 152 minutes, 37 seconds when he scored in close in the second period. New Jersey then got within 4- 3 when P. K. Subban and Yegor Sharangovich scored in a 64- second span in the third period with the teams playing 4- on- 4 hockey.
It forced Quinn to take a timeout, and got the Rangers refocused.