Chris Kreider scored another brace and the New York Rangers won 5-1 for the second time in three days on Thursday, taking a 2-0 series lead against the New Jersey Devils.
Kreider hit the mark 6:03 apart in the second period on the power play.
“Their power play was dangerous,” Devils head coach Lindy Ruff said. That’s what made the big difference. »
The Rangers player thus repeated the scenario of Tuesday evening, when he had also scored twice for the curtain raiser of the series.
“He’s one of the best, not just in the NHL, but that I’ve seen,” said Patrick Kane, who was instrumental in every one of his goals Thursday before scoring himself at 6:34 in the third. twenty, on the breakaway. He is able to touch everything with his stick. In training, we practice a lot of shots from the point and he touches absolutely everything. »
Kane had his ninth career playoff three-pointer. He’s deadlocked with Chris Chelios ranked fourth in American history. They are second only to Kevin Stevens (13), Craig Janney (11) and Joe Pavelski (10).
Kaapo Kakko and Vladimir Tarasenko were the other goalscorers for Rangers.
Adam Fox had two assists, after getting four on Tuesday.
Igor Shesterkin made 22 saves, only yielding to Erik Haula in the first period, with Rangers one man short.
On the other side of the ice, Vitek Vanecek for his part repelled 25 shots.
Madison Square Garden will be the scene of games 3 and 4 on Saturday and Monday.