The New York Rangers were outplayed, outscored and outHughes-ed by their cross-river rivals, the New Jersey Devils, in a 6-3 loss at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night.
It was their second straight loss after a four-game winning streak – and their second loss to New Jersey in as many games this month.
The Rangers “limited” Devils center Jack Hughes to a goal and two assists after the Team USA Olympic hero had a hat trick and an assist in New Jersey’s 6-3 win at Prudential Center 11 days ago. But the goal was a backbreaker – the Rangers had closed 4-3 midway through the third period and were dominating play for one of the few times during the game, only to see Hughes beat Jonathan Quick with a rocket from the left circle at 13:06 to put New Jersey back up by two.