Stepan Leads Rangers to 8th Consecutive Win

Derek Stepan scored a pair of special-teams goals and completed a hat trick into an empty net Saturday, leading the New York Rangers to their eighth consecutive victory.

The Rangers' 3-1 win over New Jersey spoiled the debut of the Devils' revamped coaching staff.

Henrik Lundqvist made 19 saves in his 600th NHL contest.

Stepan netted an unassisted short-handed goal in the first period, and a power-play tally in the second for the Rangers (19-10-4), who have won 12 of 14 and earned at least one point in 22 of 29 (18-7-4).

Stepan's empty-netter with 54.6 seconds left clinched the victory and his third NHL hat trick.

Lundqvist, second to Mike Richter (666) in goalie games played with the Rangers, has a franchise record 325 wins. He tied his personal best winning streak of seven games and became the ninth NHL goalie to play 600 games with one team.

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