<p>NEWARK, N.J. — Igor Shesterkin made 27 saves in posting his first NHL shutout and the New York Rangers opened a four-game series against the rival New Jersey Devils with a 3-0 victory on Tuesday night.</p>
<p>Mika Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin scored and Adam Fox had assists on both goals as New York improved to 10-4-3 since March 13. Pavel Buchnevich scored into an empty net with 28 seconds to play for the 20,000th goal in Rangers’ franchise history.</p>
<p>Mackenzie Blackwood had 17 saves as the young Devils fell to 2-7-2 in their last 11. Even the return of captain Nico Hischier from a broken nose that had sidelined him since Feb. 27 didn’t help.</p>
<p>The 25-year-old Shesterkin was on his game from the start, stopping a breakaway by Jesper Bratt in the opening 10 seconds and another by Devils top goal-scorer Miles Wood in the second period.</p>
<p>Zibanejad, who has 12 goals in his last 15 games scored on a breakaway at 7:02 of a wide-open first period. The speedy center took a pass in center-ice, blew past the defense and beat Blackwood with a forehand over his glove hand.</p>
<p>After a very defensive middle period, Panarin gave the Rangers breathing room at 7:50 of the third with a goal from the left circle off a nice cross-ice pass by Filip Chytil. </p>
<p>Panarin’s goal came in his 100th game with the Rangers. It also gave him 138 points in those games, breaking the 100-game mark of 137 set by Mark Messier.</p>
<p>The teams will play again on Thursday and Saturday in New York and return to New Jersey on Sunday for the final game of their eight-game regular-season series. The Rangers lead the series 3-2, having won the last three in New Jersey.</p>
<p>SIEGENTHAL DEBUT</p>
<p>Defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler made his debut for the Devils. He was acquired on Sunday in a deal with Washington. The Swiss native was paired with Will Butcher and played 15:45.</p>
<p>RANGERS SIGNING</p>
<p>Just days after helping the University of Massachusetts win the national championship, defenseman Zac Jones signed an entry-level contract with the Rangers. The 20-year-old had nine goals and 15 assists in 29 games. </p>
<p>Rangers coach David Quinn said Jones drove to New York and will skate with the team until ready to play. </p>
<p>NOTES: It didn’t take long for the emotions to surface. Chris Kreider of the Rangers and Damon Severson of the Devils got fighting majors at 1:27. … Rangers defenseman Brendan Smith and Devils center Michael McLeod got five for fighting in the second period. … The Rangers did not have a power play. … Hischier wore a cage to protect his surgically repaired nose.</p>
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