NHL: N.Y. Rangers 2, New Jersey 1

NEWARK, N.J., April 11 (UPI) -- Jaromir Jagr and Sean Avery scored 23 seconds apart in the third period Friday, lifting the New York Rangers to a 2-1, playoff victory over New Jersey.

New York grabbed a 2-0 advantage in the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.

This is the fifth time the teams have met in the playoffs and the first time the Rangers have won the opening two games of a series against the Devils.

Henrik Lundqvist stopped 26 shots for the Rangers and Scott Gomez recorded his fourth assist of the series.

New Jersey faces a 2-0 playoff deficit for the first time since the 2006 Eastern Conference semifinals. The Devils lost that series to Carolina in five games and Carolina went on to win the Stanley Cup.

Martin Brodeur made 28 saves for the Devils.

Game 3 is set for Sunday night in New York.