Devils steamroll Rangers in pivotal Game 5 to take series lead

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Erik Haula had two goals and an assist, Akira Schmid stopped 23 shots, and the New Jersey Devils beat the New York Rangers 4-0 Thursday night to take a 3-2 lead in their first-round series.

Dawson Mercer had a goal and an assist, and Ondrej Palat also scored to help New Jersey move one win away from advancing with their third straight win after losing the first two games at home. It was the first win by a home team in the series.

Schmid had eight saves in the first period, 13 in the second and two in the third for his first career postseason shutout while making his third straight start. He has stopped 80 of 82 shots he's faced after Vitek Vanecek gave up nine goals on 52 shots in the first two games.

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Erik Haula #56 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates his second period goal against Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers in Game Five of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Prudential Center on April 27, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Igor Shesterkin finished with 39 saves for the Rangers, who have been outscored 9-2 over the last three games after a pair of 5-1 wins to open the series.

Game 6 is Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.

Leading by three after two periods, the Devils controlled play in the third with a dominant 18-2 advantage on shots on goal over the final 20 minutes.

KRAKEN TAKE CRUCIAL GAME 5 VICTORY OVER AVALANCHE IN FIRST ROUND

The Rangers nearly got on the scoreboard but Vincent Trocheck's poke attempt went off the left post and slid across the goal line. Schmid and Haula both punched the puck to the side and