Fansided

Rangers Edge Devils Behind Stepan Hat Trick

By Robby Sabo

Dec 27, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers center Derek Stepan (21) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the New Jersey Devils during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers center Derek Stepan (21) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the New Jersey Devils during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Rangers continue tearing up the NHL as they win their eighth straight game.

Game one of the very peculiar three-headed coaching experiment put together by Lou Lamoriello turned out to be a bust as the New York Rangers defeated the New Jersey Devils by the final of 3-1.

All three, Lamoriello, Adam Oates and Scott Stevens witnessed Rangers’ center Derek Stepan record his third career hat trick helping hist team win their eighth straight game. It marks the first time since 1975 that New York has accomplished the feat and unlike Rich Nash’s hat trick from a game ago, Stepan actually knew he scored three goals tonight.

Stepan got the party started 18:14 into the first period as he found himself all alone on a breakaway short-handed opportunity. After mishandling the puck a bit, he gathered for quick deke which beat Devils goalie Corey Schnieder through the five-hold. Then in the second, Stepan added one on a power play tip-in after Marty St. Louis’ puck was deflected.

The Devils provided a little push-back after that. A little under three minutes after Stepan’s second goal, forward Steve Bernier scored his third of the season, assisted by Eric Gelinas and Tuomo Ruutu.

The rest of the game proved to be a puck position battled which slightly favored New Jersey, especially in the heart of the third period.

With a little under three minutes remaining, Chris Kreider negated a Rangers icing on pure speed and hustle. I’m sure Lamoriello, Oates and Stevens were all displeased at the lack of competitiveness his defensive pairing showed on that play because it lead to the next minute and change being dominated by New York in the Devils zone, taking away precious time for New Jersey the chance to tie the game.
With Schnieder pulled, Stepan added an empty netter to put the game away.

Henrik Lundqvist picked up another milestone in the victory as he became the ninth goalie in NHL history to play 600 game with one franchise. Only Mike Richter has played more games (666) with the blueshirts.

The Rangers are now only five points behind the second place Islanders in the Metropolitan division, with two games in hand.

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