New York Rangers win exciting shootout over Kings 3-2
The New York Rangers hosted the Los Angeles Kings at Madison Square Garden on Monday night. It was Pride Night, showing their commitment to support the LGBTQ+ community and improve diversity and inclusion across hockey.
Fans were enjoying the pre-game festivities, but what was in store for them was so much more.
Recap: Rangers vs Kings
In the first period, Los Angeles enjoyed a solid edge in play until former Ranger Brendan Lemieux nailed Ryan Lindgren from behind causing a small cut to his face.
After a brief scuffle, Lindgren would be assessed a cross-check penalty but Lemieux was called for boarding. The five minute major also came with an ejection. Lemieux left the ice cussing out the referee in disagreement with the call.
The Blueshirts went to work with three minutes left on the major and scored with just 1.5 seconds on the clock. Artemi Panarin got the puck to Adam Fox, who worked his passing magic to Chris Kreider. Ever-present in front of the net, he converted the nice feed tallying his 30th goal of the season and 15th on the power play.
Per NYR PR, Kreider became the 4th Blueshirt to score 30 goals in 43 games or less.
“It’s a big part of the game,” Ryan Strome said of special teams play. “The guys on the power play take a lot of pride there… it was good to cash one in.”
Kings strike back
The New York Rangers had a much better period when it comes to shots on goal. After getting owned in that department 11-3 after one, they came back with a 12-12 middle frame.
Unfortunately for them, Jonathan Quick made some great saves which included a flashy glove stop on Jacob Trouba. He was also a little lucky when Panarin’s great deke and shot hit off the crossbar.
L.A. would grab the lead after the second period thanks to two goals. First it was Blake Lizotte coming in with blazing speed using Trouba as a screen to tie it. And then on the first half of a double minor to Barclay Goodrow, Alex Iafallo scored over a scramble in front.
Rangers respond
The Kings gave the Rangers the business for most of the period playing a hard and physical game. However, as they’ve done all season, New York remained resilient and tied the game with 5:45 left to play.
Panarin patiently looked for a something to develop down low. He saw Goodrow get some position on Anze Kopitar in front of Quick. The Breadman sent a purposeful shot that Goodrow deflected to knot it up at two apiece. It was his 8th goal of the season, tying his career high.
The Blueshirts would get a late power play but could not score. They dominated the OT but Quick came up big again to send it to a shootout.
Both Quick and Shesterkin were tough to beat taking six rounds to decide a winner.
New York elected to shoot second and Artemi Panarin needed to keep it alive in the third round. He did so with a slow-motion deke through Quick’s pads.
Quinton Byfield, the 2020 #2 pick in the Draft gave the Kings a lead in round five only to have the #1 pick Alexis Lafrenière keep the Rangers hopes alive.
After a pick stop on Iafallo in round six, Adam Fox roofed it over Quick to give the Rangers an exciting 3-2 win. Their fifth straight home win.
“I’m not too familiar in the shootout — I’m glad Shesty gave me a chance with a save,” Fox said after the winner. “I didn’t know what I was going to do before, but I kinda committed to that and I’m glad it went in.”
Notable Rangers
- Igor Shesterkin stopped 34 of 36, plus 4 of 6 in the shootout
- Chris Kreider scored to extend his goal scoring streak to 6 games (9G – 2A)
- Artemi Panarin picked up two assists
NHL Rumors
Is Martin Jones a fit in goal for the Oilers? How will Vegas approach the trade deadline, and Rangers called on Bruins’ DeBrusk. Read more.
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