The New Jersey Devils suffered a 4-1 loss at the hands of the New York Rangers on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.
Conor Sheary and J.T. Miller scored the Rangers' first two goals in the opening frame, for a 2-0 lead entering the first intermission. New York held a record of 18-1-1 when scoring first in a game this season.
Connor Brown scored the Devils' lone goal 51 seconds into the second period. Rangers forward Gabe Perreault was called for tripping against Dougie Hamilton, and it took five seconds for Brown to find the back of the net on the man advantage. Nico Hischier was credited with the primary assist and extended his point streak to five games.
Jaroslav Chmelar gave New York a 3-1 lead at the 11:12 mark of the middle frame.
In the third period, New Jersey outshot their opponent, 5-2, but it was the Rangers who scored the lone goal of the period, leading to an eventual 4-1 victory.
At the 9:05 mark, Paul Cotter bumped into goaltender Igor Shesterkin, and a scrum broke out behind the Rangers' net. Jacob Markstrom skated down the ice and dropped the gloves to fight Shesterkin.
Dawson Mercer appeared in his 402nd consecutive NHL game, surpassing Travis Zajac for most consecutive games played. The 24-year-old now holds the franchise record.
The Devils host the Washington Capitals at Prudential Center on Thursday night.
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