NEW YORK: Jack Hughes recorded two goals in a three-point second period for the visiting New Jersey Devils, who never trailed while cruising to a 5-1 rout of the struggling New York Rangers on Monday night. Jesper Bratt scored 87 seconds into the contest and tied a career high with three assists. Dawson Mercer also scored as the Devils took a two-goal lead in the opening 7:10.

Dougie Hamilton added a goal and an assist as the Devils scored at least five for the 11th time in their first 28 games. Hughes registered his 22nd career multi-goal game and fourth against the Rangers. Jacob Markstrom made a season-best 38 saves and was aided by a defense that blocked 27 shots as the Devils improved to 12-5-0 in their past 17 games and heard their fans chanting “Let’s Go Devils” constantly in the third despite being the road team.

Chris Kreider scored a power-play goal for the Rangers, who lost for the sixth time in seven games. New York goalie Igor Shesterkin allowed five goals on 28 shots and lost his fifth straight start as the Rangers made mistakes in front of him to fall behind early. After Devils defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic broke up a pass between Filip Chytil and Braden Schneider, New Jersey’s Ondrej Palat gained possession near the right corner and spotted Bratt in the neutral zone. Bratt sped through the slot and finished off a two-on-one with Hughes by putting a shot from the right circle under Shesterkin.

Following Will Cuylle’s neutral-zone giveaway, the Devils had two shots blocked but the Rangers could not clear. Mercer walked into the middle of the slot and ripped a shot from the top of the right circle past Shesterkin for a 2-0 lead less than eight minutes in.

With one second left on a five-on-three power play, Hamilton was alone in the left circle and ripped a shot by Shesterkin’s left arm at 9:04 of the second period. Hughes made it 4-0 by doing a spin move after beating Sam Carrick to a loose puck in front at 12:38 of the middle frame.

After Kreider put in a loose puck at 13:29 of the second period on a power player, Hughes made it 5-1 by scoring New Jersey’s second power-play goal. He easily moved into the slot and ripped a shot past Shesterkin from near the left faceoff circle at 18:56 of the second period. — Reuters