Rangers tie for Metro lead

In New York, the Rangers’ Igor Shesterkin made 20 saves in a 4-0 shut out of the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.

It was the second straight shut out, by the same count, for New York who tied the Carolina Hurricanes for first in the Metropolitan Division. The Canes lost to the Colorado Avalanche, 7-4, on Saturday.

“I thought we were outstanding,” Rangers coach Gerard Gallant said. “I thought we managed the puck as well as we have all season, we created chances and we played our game. I was very pleased.”

Mika Zibanejad scored off the power play in the first period to give the Blueshirts a 1-0 lead.

“Right now, this is an explosive offensive team that is also playing really well in its own end,” Rangers forward Frank Vatrano said. “When we play like this, we’re tough to beat.”

Vatrano scored in the middle frame from the high slot to push the lead to 2-0.

Detroit’s Dylan Larkin looked to take a cheap on Vatrano after the red light went off, but there was no call on the play.

“I just didn’t think we had a lot of jump today,” Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said. “They pinned us in our end for most of the game and that meant we were never able to get going.”

The Rangers improved to 49-21-6.

Alexis Lafreniere scored twice in the third period.

His second goal goal after he put the puck between his legs and roofed a backnader for a 4-0 lead.

“On the second goal, I saw Larkin start to go down to block my shot, so I made that extra move to create some space,” he said. “After that, I just wanted to get the puck in the air, and it went in.”

Lafreniere was a healthy scratch in the previous game.

“I thought I had a lot of energy,” he said “Coach told me he wanted to give me a rest, because I hadn’t been playing my best hockey. It gave me a chance to watch a game and I felt better today.”

It was his first two-goal game in the NHL.

“I couldn’t be happier with how he played tonight,” Gallant said. “He made a nice play on our third goal and the fourth one was just beautiful.”

Thomas Greiss made 33 saves in the Detroit loss.

“We’re a young team and we need to get better at communicating in our own end,” Larkin said. “But it was tough to end up 5-on-3 with two straight pucks over the glass.”