Shesterkin saved 1.27 goals above expected, versus the Devils’ 45 unblocked shots in Game 6 per Evolving-Hockey.

Goldman Shesterkin comes up big - again In that head-to-head matchup of Zibanejad and Hischier (45:33 so far this series) the Devils have a clear edge while shot attempts are close, with the Rangers creating 19 to the Devils’ 20, New York has less than 32 percent of the expected goals share when these two-way pivots are matched up. This came during a game where Zibanejad and Kreider didn’t see much of Nico Hischier at five-on-five, just 1:54. Together, at five-on-five, shot attempts were even 8-8, but shot quality went the Rangers’ way with 73.4 percent of the expected goals share. Lineup adjustments moved Vladimir Tarasenko back to the top line. Kreider led all skaters with a game score of 3.98, his best of the playoffs, followed by Zibanejad (3.17). 'It's a time for big players': Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, as usual, keep Rangers alive Rangers lucked out with matchups The power-play goal late in the frame seemed to be the turning point because they came into the second with a lot more pop at five-on-five. The Rangers started the game with a terrible first period, generating just 21 percent of the shot share and rocking a lousy 8.13 percent expected goals rate, according to NaturalStatTrick. The Athletic’s instant analysis: New York overcomes slow start

New York had scored just twice over its prior three games, getting shut out 4-0 in Game 5.Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin had 34 saves.The Rangers took the lead on a Mika Zibanejad goal at 10:10 in the second period and didn’t look back, piling on another goal in the second and two more in the third. Rangers forward Chris Kreider answered with a power-play goal at 19:35, his first of three points on the night, and tied the NHL record for most career goals (16) in potential elimination games (he now shares the accolade with former New York captain Mark Messier).Devils center Curtis Lazar opened the scoring at 11:49 of the first period, but New Jersey wouldn’t score again until notching an empty-netter late in the third period.The New York Rangers scored five straight goals against the New Jersey Devils in Game 6 on Saturday to force a Game 7 in their first-round playoff series.

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