Valiquette, a former Rangers goalie, criticized Hughes when the Devils star attempted to score on Shesterkin on a first period breakaway with a trick known as “The Forsberg” — named after Hall of Famer Peter Forsberg.

Bratt took the puck on his own stick on a two-on-one breakaway, beating Shesterkin for the first goal just 1:27 into the game. The score got the Devils out of their slew of slow starts, showed they were too fast for the Rangers’ defense and sent a message that they were determined to put pressure on Shesterkin.

Jacob Markstrom made 40 saves to frustrate the Rangers (13-10-1), who lost for the sixth time in seven games and the 10th time in their last 18.

The New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers matched up on Monday evening for another rendition of the infamous Hudson River Rivalry. Coming into it, the Devils had not defeated the Rangers since their Game 7 clincher in May 2023 – 581 days ago.