NEWARK, NJ — Jack Hughes scored with 17 seconds remaining to lift the New Jersey Devils to a 4-2 win over the New York Rangers in Game 7 at Prudential Center, sending New Jersey to the Eastern Conference Final against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The series lived up to its billing, with both teams trading wins throughout. The Rangers forced a decisive Game 7 with a 3-1 victory in Game 6, but New Jersey had the final answer.

In the deciding game, the Devils struck first when Timo Meier scored in the opening period. The Rangers responded in the second as Brett Berard netted his first playoff goal to tie the game. New Jersey then pushed ahead with two unanswered goals to build a 3-1 lead.

Before the second intermission, Braden Schneider brought the Rangers back within one, scoring to make it 3-2 and set up a tense third period.

New York pressed for the equalizer late, but Hughes sealed the result with his fourth goal of the postseason, scoring into the empty net in the final seconds.

The victory caps a hard-fought series and sends the Devils into the conference final with momentum.