Sheppard’s Pie: Rangers’ goalscorer James Sheppard is congratulated by Dominic Moore and Dan Boyle.
AP Photo by Julio Cortez/Getty Images

For the first time since ’93-94, the Rangers won the President’s Trophy clinching the NHL’s best record and home ice advantage by defeating the Devils 4-2 in Newark Tuesday night. Their fifth consecutive win gives them 111 points. It’s the third time in franchise history they’ve won the President’s Trophy also winning it in ’91-92.

Rookie Kevin Hayes led the way with a goal and two assists. Carl Hagelin scored an empty netter with 1:48 left sealing it. Ryan McDonagh and James Sheppard also tallied in the win. Steven McDonald winner Cam Talbot picked up his 21st victory finishing with 19 saves including a few key ones in the third period. A nice reward for the popular backup who’s been a huge part of the Rangers’ run to the NHL’s top spot.

Playing for the second time in two nights, the Blueshirts had enough left to defeat the Devils for the second time in four days. Unlike Saturday’s 6-1 blowout win, this one was closer. It was also a lot more heated. With New Jersey playing with an edge, they were physical from the outset finishing checks legally and illegally. The latter part became a story in the second period when they were whistled for four straight penalties. Some of which included a few extra shots. Eventually, ref Kevin Pollock went over to the Devils bench and gave Lou Lamoriello a warning following an extra Eric Gelinas crosscheck.

Despite playing a more rugged style, the Devils were badly outplayed in the first. They were outscored 2-1 and outshot 19-4. Mike Cammalleri (hi-sticking) and Adam Larsson (phantom elbow) took consecutive minors 33 seconds apart. As usual, the Rangers power play fired blanks failing on a 5-on-3 for the 10th time in 11 tries. It is absolutely mystifying how poorly executed it is. Nobody ever shoots. They force passes and make it easy on opponents. This is an area that needs improvement when the playoffs begin next week.

Following a dominant shift in which the All American Line of J.T. Miller, Derek Stepan and Chris Kreider spent a long time in the Devils end, Hayes scored his 16th thanks to some hustle from wingers Martin St. Louis and Hagelin. Off a faceoff loss, St. Louis and Hagelin forechecked freeing up a loose puck which came to Hayes in front for the game’s first goal at 13:45. On the next shift, Sheppard drew a hooking minor on Josefson. Given their third power play, this time the Rangers wasted no time. Off a Hayes faceoff win, Keith Yandle fed McDonagh for a one-timer that beat Cory Schneider through a double screen for their second goal in 47 seconds.

Trailing by two, the Devils were able to get one back on a power play of their own. Tanner Glass took a ill advised holding minor in the offensive zone. Off some brilliant passing started by Scott Gomez, Steve Bernier fed Patrik Elias for his 12th at 17:44 cutting the deficit in half. A pretty power play goal for the Devils franchise all-time leading scorer.

Following the first, the second became more about the Devils physical play. Playing a bit reckless, they took runs at some Rangers. Whether it be legal like most of Jon Merrill’s hits or illegal such as some of Gelinas’ shenanigans post whistle, it was interesting. They kept handing the Rangers power plays. But if you don’t make them pay, they’ll continue taking liberties. On one shift, Jordin Tootoo actually challenged Matt Hunwick following a clean hit. It was a bit much seeing the noted tough guy go after the veteran defenseman who didn’t oblige.

Not surprisingly, there were no fights. Just a lot of jawing during scrums. Kreider had a few run ins. He didn’t like Larsson’s elbow on St. Louis. Though the MSG replay showed it wasn’t much of a penalty. Kreider was pretty ornery throughout. On a team without much toughness, he’s one of the few skill guys who’s shown a willingness to mix it up.

Due to the penalty fest, there wasn’t much play at even strength. The Devils didn’t get much done. Outshot 14-6, they still trailed 2-1 despite the Rangers holding a healthy 33-10 shots edge. The only reason it was close was the play of Schneider. After being chased Saturday giving up three goals on six shots, he was brilliant. The Devils’ starter played like it making big stops when his team was pinned in. He did all he could making 36 saves in the Devils’ last home game.

As much criticism as the Devils received from the Ranger broadcast of Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti, they played hockey in the third. It resulted in some good opportunities. In a penalty free period, they generated more outshooting the Rangers 11-7. When challenged, Talbot was up to the task turning aside 10 of 11 helping preserve the lead. His best save was a nice glove stop denying a good opportunity.

Alain Vigneault made it a point to use his fourth line. With Mats Zuccarello resting, Sheppard returned to the lineup. Playing with Glass and Dominic Moore, he paid dividends by scoring a key insurance marker that wound up being the game decider. Off a strong forecheck, Moore fired a shot that a driving Sheppard deflected past Schneider giving the Rangers a 3-1 lead with 9:19 left. Marc Staal drew a helper keeping the play alive on the forecheck. He played a strong game.

But less than a minute later, Bernier scored his 14th from Travis Zajac and Cammalleri. Off a rush, he took a Zajac pass and centered the puck into the crease. It took a funny bounce going off Talbot with Derick Brassard accidentally putting it in his own net. Brassard is the last guy you want preventing a goal. Even on a attempted backcheck, he made the blooper reel. Oops.

Trailing by one, the Devils got a couple of chances but were thwarted by Talbot. Eventually, they pulled Schneider for an extra attacker with two minutes left. A strong defensive play in the neutral zone by Hayes forced a turnover. He passed for hard working linemate Hagelin, who has become a bit of an empty net specialist. He deposited his 17th clinching the win.

As the final seconds ticked off, the Ranger contingent cheered. While it is a great team accomplishment, as Talbot noted afterwards it’s just another check mark with a much bigger goal ahead. It’s been a fun regular season. The way they’ve played has been special. There’s still so much left to accomplish.

”We battled hard all season long to get to this point but we know that the job’s not finished yet,” Talbot said.

”It’s not an easy thing to do,” Vigneault said. ”You look at the teams still fighting to get into the playoffs. It’s a challenging thing. For our group, it’s one thing in the direction that we’re looking to get to. I’m very proud of our group but we all know that we are going to be judged by what we do in the playoffs. So this is a first step and we’re going to get ready for the next one.”

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Carl Hagelin, NYR (empty net goal-17th, assist, 7 SOG, +2 in 21 shifts-13:28)

2nd Star-Cory Schneider, NJD (36 saves incl. 31/33 1st 2 periods)

1st Star-Kevin Hayes, NYR (goal-16th, 2 assists, +2 in 23 shifts-14:42)