Derek’s Big Night: Derek Stepan celebrates one of three goals. His hat trick led the Rangers to their eighth straight win.
AP Photo by Frank Franklin II/Getty Images

Derek Stepan’s hat trick highlighted the Rangers’ eighth straight win. Stepan scored in each period during a 3-1 win over the Devils at MSG. It’s the first time since 1974-75 that the Rangers have won eight in a row. Their latest victory improved them to 19-10-4 remaining in third over the Caps- 3-0 winners at Pens- due to two less games played. It allowed them to inch closer to the Islanders, who blew a three-goal lead in a 4-3 shootout defeat at the Sabres. With the Rangers having two extra games, five points is all that separates them from second place. They trail first place Pittsburgh by seven.

The game marked the debut of Devils President and GM Lou Lamoriello’s odd coaching experiment with co-coaches Adam Oates and Scott Stevens returning. The results were mixed. The effort was there. But once again, the Devils didn’t score enough or sustain enough offense required to win. They were outscored 3-1 and outshot 28-20 for their third consecutive loss.

It wasn’t the most entertaining game. The first period didn’t have much flow. But both starting goalies were sharp. Henrik Lundqvist made eight saves while Cory Schneider stopped nine of 10. As usual, Schneider was under siege once the Rangers sustained a forecheck. He had a strong start but a miscue allowed Stepan to beat him shorthanded for the game’s first goal at 18:14. Following a Dominic Moore holding minor, Travis Zajac mishandled a puck after being pressured by Stepan at the point. Stepan pushed the puck ahead and then took advantage of a non-committal Schneider who was in no-man’s land. Instead of challenging, he got beat by a Stepan backhand five-hole for the Rangers’ fourth shorthanded goal. Rick Nash has the other three.

The second was mostly Blueshirts. They dominated puck possession and got plenty of rubber on Schneider. Their second goal came in large part to Tanner Glass, who drew an undisciplined Jordin Tootoo holding minor. While the whiners continue to pummel Glass for what he can’t do, he is certainly capable of finishing checks. He delivered a clean hit catching Tootoo against the boards. Tootoo responded by grabbing Glass sending the Rangers on the power play. Some nice passing started by Dan Boyle across for a Martin St. Louis’ one-timer from the right circle caromed off Stepan in front for his second of the game. On the play, St. Louis’ shot appeared to deflect off Andy Greene and then bank off Stepan, who beat Adam Larsson in front.

But before they could get too comfortable, the Rangers saw their two-goal lead sliced in half thanks to some nice teamwork by the Devils resulting in a Steve Bernier finish upstairs. They took advantage of a John Moore pinch. Moore was back in for Matt Hunwick and got victimized. Tuomu Ruutu caught him passing for Eric Gelinas, who dished across for a wide open Bernier for an easy put away cutting the deficit to 2-1 less than three minutes later.

Jacob Josefson and Lee Stempniak each took ill advised minor penalties. But neither side capitalized. Stempniak was reinserted by Rangers coach Alain Vigneault, who scratched J.T. Miller. While I disagree with his decision, he chooses to play everyone keeping bodies fresh. That can have a long-term benefit. The vast majority wants Miller to stay in. Of course, most criticism is pointed at Glass. But he’s a better fit on the fourth line than Stempniak. If Miller plays, he should play over Stempniak. Glass is fine on the fourth line as an energizer. I’m tired of all the anti-Glass tweets. Some Rangers bloggers get carried away with the Glass hate. Get over it.

The Devils had their chances in the third. Most notably with under 10 minutes remaining when Rick Nash took an undisciplined offensive zone minor. But a Gelinas shot hit the crossbar. He also missed on another cannon. Lundqvist was at his best denying Travis Zajac off a Jaromir Jagr feed. Adam Henrique and Scott Gomez also had close calls. But Lundqvist wouldn’t oblige. New Jersey had seven shots in the third and most were quality.

A great shift by Chris Kreider led to a sustained forecheck for a minute pinning the Devils in with under three minutes left. Using his speed, he outraced a couple of Devils to negate an icing. Then he and linemates Stepan and St. Louis went to work. They dominated forcing Schneider into a couple of tough saves. When the shift ended, they got a nice ovation. That’s what you want to see. Our players pressing the action. I’d like to see them get more shots on net when protecting leads. They tend to sit back.

Defensively, they were excellent. Ryan McDonagh had several key defensive plays and Kevin Klein had a couple of nice hits. Marc Staal and Dan Girardi were strong. They really didn’t give the Devils much. With Schneider on the bench for an extra attacker, McDonagh moved the puck around to St. Louis and Carl Hagelin, who eventually got it out after a good effort from Marek Zidlicky. That allowed Stepan the opportunity to shoot into an open net from the red line for his hat trick. Unlike before Christmas in the win over the Caps, hats flew on the ice. They didn’t have to wait a day to announce a hat trick like for Nash.

Notes: Patrik Elias and Michael Ryder sat out with mumps. Scott Clemmensen also has it as the NHL epidemic continues. … St. Louis picked up two assists. … With a helper, that marked the second straight game Dan Boyle recorded a point. … Even though his line got caught out for the goal against, Jesper Fast had a solid defensive game. … Faceoffs were 29-24 in favor of the Devils led by Scott Gomez, who played in his 1,000th career NHL game going 8-and-5. Stephen Gionta went 5-and-2 while Zajac was 6-and-4. Dominic Moore led the Blueshirts finishing 7-and-3 followed by Derick Brassard (7-and-5). Stepan was 7-and-9. … Stat Of Game: Takeaways NYR-10 (Stepan 3, Hayes/McDonagh 2) NJD-2 (Ruutu, Gomez). … Rangers host Stars Monday 12/29 and then are at Panthers on New Year’s Eve. Devils (12-18-7) return home for Pens 12/29. The first game between teams since Robert Bortuzzo’s cheap shot on Jaromir Jagr. Keep an eye on that one. Devils conclude 2014 portion at Detroit on NYE.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Cory Schneider, NJD (25 saves incl. 12/13 in 2nd)

2nd Star-Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (19 saves, 600th career NHL game)

1st Star-Derek Stepan, NYR (hat trick-4, 5, 6, 3 takeaways, +2 in 21:16)