Rick Nash boosts goal total to NHL-high 28 as Rangers drum Penguins 5-2

New York Rangers' Rick Nash (61) cannot get a shot past Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) with Sidney Crosby (87) defending during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (The Associated Press)

New York Rangers' Rick Nash (61) celebrates his goal with teammates Mats Zuccarello (36), and Derick Brassard (16) during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (The Associated Press)

PITTSBURGH – Rick Nash scored twice to lift his goal total to an NHL-high 28 and the New York Rangers drummed the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2 on Sunday.

Derek Stepan also scored twice for the surging Rangers and Derick Brassard had a goal and two assists as New York improved to 15-3 over its past 18 games.

The Rangers pulled within two points of second-place Pittsburgh in the Metropolitan Division standings after beating the Penguins for three times in four meetings.

Henrik Lundqvist made 32 saves for the Rangers, who needed 26 seconds to jump in front and cruise.

Sidney Crosby scored his 15th goal of the season and David Perron added his fifth since coming over from Edmonton two weeks ago. Marc-Andre Fleury stopped just 13 of the 17 shots he faced before being pulled early in the second period.