The New York Rangers had their first winning streak of the season when they defeated the Washington Capitals by a final score of 4-2. Artemiy Panarin rekindled the field goal when he registered a three-a-side night to give New York their second consecutive victory. David Quinn continued to roll the hot hand into the goal tonight and Igor Shesterkin scored his third consecutive victory with an effort 31 times.
1st period
Ryan Strome (3) – Adam Fox (6) & Artemiy Panarin (8) – 1:41
As the Rangers face a tough test ahead of the Washington Capitals, they have wasted very little time getting on the scoreboard. Just a minute and 41 seconds after the opening game, the Rangers jump out to an early 1-0 lead with Ryan Strome’s third season. Adam Fox picked up the primary assist after lifting a shot through traffic while Strome got body position in front of the defender. Streams could completely mislead Vitek Vancek by changing the direction of the shot, giving New York the most important first lead of the evening.
2nd period
Anthony Bitetto (1) – Kevin Rooney (1) – 9:15
New York was able to double their lead halfway through the second period as Anthony Bitetto of Long Island dropped his first goal as a Blueshirt. The series itself was pretty impressive when Bitetto jumped up to keep the shooter alive in the offensive zone and just never stop playing. He absorbs a hit below the goal line, turns to the center of the ice and kicks a backhand to the net. Vancek was stunned that Bitetto was able to break through the slot, and New York took a 2-0 lead.
Carl Hagelin (1) – Garnett Hathaway (3) & Michael Sgarbossa (2) – 18:57
With just a minute left in the second period, Washington was able to jump into the game again from a fluke bounce in front of the net. The initial shot from Garnett Hathaway was kicked to the corner by Igor Shesterkin, but Carl Hagelin was able to jump on the loose. Hagelin’s subsequent shot bounced around in the crease before jumping over Shesterkin’s glove as he tried to catch it, and it rolled over the goal line to make it a 2-1 game.
3rd period
Ryan Strome (4) – Artemiy Panarin (9) & Kaapo Kakko (1) – 7:55
Despite the goal being given up for a late second period, the Rangers came out with a strong opening after the last 20 minutes of play. Kaapo Kakko was able to generate a 2-on-1 rush the other way around after playing defensively, and sent the shooter to Artemiy Panarin. Ryan Strome and Panarin combined a dirty give-and-go game when they reached the goal, and Strome typed his second of the night home.
Alex Ovechkin (3) – Nicklas Backstrom (9) – 11:01
Alex Ovechkin temporarily stopped everyone’s excitement when he absolutely cut his third of the season home. The goal came straight as an offensive victory in the zone, and Ovechkin was able to collect the disc in the circle. Igor Shesterkin challenged the shot, but Alex Ovechkin stopped nothing when he could pick his place up close. The goal put the Rangers back on their heels a bit, as they had to hold on for the last nine minutes of regulation time.
Pavel Buchnevich (3) – Mika Zibanejad (2) & Artemiy Panarin (10) ENG – 19:33
New York was able to hold a majority of the game in their own defensive zone to the perimeter and they eventually defeated the game with an empty net goal. Artemiy Panarin picked up his third assist of the evening when the trio of Panarin, Mika Zibanejad and Pavel Buchnevich all got to the shooter before landing in the back of Washington’s net.
Overall, it was a solid defensive effort by the Rangers for a full 60 minutes. While the Rangers did give up 33 total shots, they limited the quality chances in front of their own net to stifle the Washington attack. The offense finally started to click consistently in the attacking zone, and they scored timely goals when they needed it most.
After the Capitals’ impressive victory tonight, the Rangers will leave until Monday night when they host the New York Islanders in Madison Square Garden. Saturday’s game against the New Jersey Devils has been postponed and the Devils are suspended for next week due to COVID-19 protocols.