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Lundqvist sets franchise record for shutouts as Rangers blank Devils

Mar 23, 2014 - 4:57 AM Newark, NJ (SportsNetwork.com) - Henrik Lundqvist recorded his 50th career shutout, a new franchise record, and helped the New York Rangers escape with a 2-0 win over the New Jersey Devils.

Posting a 21-save effort for his fifth shutout of the season, Lundqvist passed Ed Giacomin for the most shutouts in franchise history and helped the Rangers win for a fourth time in the past five games.

Rick Nash scored halfway through the second period, and Derek Stepan added an empty-netter in the final moments as New York sits a point back of Philadelphia for the second spot in the division.

"We had a real emotional game last night and another one here tonight," said Nash. "The best part about tonight was hearing the fans cheering for us. This was a fun game."

Martin Brodeur was solid in defeat, stopping 25-of-26 shots for the Devils, who have lost four of their past five games to fall far back in the playoff chase.

"We've got to regroup because we have a game tomorrow and it starts right there," said New Jersey forward Stephen Gionta. "We're going to have to claw our way back because we're not going to give up until the end."

The winning goal came at 10:33 of the second period, as Stepan fired a pass from the right wing to the low left side that missed its target. The puck, though, took a good bounce off the backboard and went to the circle for Nash, who snapped it in for his 23rd goal of the season.

Lundqvist stopped 11 shots through the first two periods, then made the lead holdup in the third with a 10-save stanza.

Andy Greene was called for tripping with 2:03 to play, but New Jersey pulled Brodeur to make it 5-on-5.

The Devils had a great chance down low with around 40 seconds left as Travis Zajac got a tip on net. Lundqvist made the initial save, then stopped a Jaromir Jagr stuff on the rebound.

Stepan scored in the closing moments to seal the game.

Game Notes

The Rangers went 1-for-3 on the power play while the Devils failed on their one chance ... New Jersey hosts Toronto on Sunday ... The Rangers host Phoenix on Monday ... New Jersey took three of the five games against New York this season.