Rangers Blank Devils in Game 1 of East Finals [VIDEO]

Rangers rookie Chris Kreider and defenseman Dan Girardi both had a goal and an assist in the third period, and Henrik Lundqvist stopped 21 shots for his fifth career playoff shutout, as weary New York opened the Eastern Conference finals with a 3-0 victory over the well-rested New Jersey Devils on Monday night.

Playing just two days after eliminating Washington in a stirring 2-1 Game 7 victory, the top-seeded Rangers hit their home ice again and won their third straight Game 1 of these playoffs.

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The Devils had been off for five days since they knocked out the Philadelphia Flyers in five games.

Game 2 is Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.