The New York Rangers must’ve heard their critics and their coaches lament over sporadic good play. Today with Artemi Panarin providing a spark, they dominated the Boston Bruins from start to finish.
On both sides of the puck the Blueshirts dominated play and made life real easy for Keith Kinkaid. The goalie who hasn’t won a game since 2019 recorded an 18 save shutout victory.
Rangers vs Bruins: A complete 60 minute effort for the win
K’Andre Miller got the ball rolling on a blast from the point. It was the result of good offensive zone pressure and Chris Kreider battling hard to screen Jaro Halak. The Rangers would outshoot the Bruins 10-6 and led 1-0 after the first in what would be a theme for the game.
In the second period, Kreider would finish a beautiful saucer feed from Mika Zibanejad who skated with determination all game. The tally was a team leading 14 for Kreider and give the Blueshirts a 2-0 lead heading into the third.
That’s when the Rangers turned up the heat and saw a brilliant Artemi Panarin feed finished by Ryan Strome. The Breadman dominated the puck in his return as he put Bruins on their heels every time he touched it. The assist gave him his 19 points in 15 games this season as he’s recorded at least one point in 11 of the team’s 15 contests in 2020-21. Simply put, Panarin is the engine that drives this team.
Pavel Buchnevich would close out the scoring with a goal to go with his earlier assist on Miller’s tally. For Buchnevich he is the team leader in points with 22 points in 26 games this season.
After the game David Quinn was asked about the performance from his top players and if he sent them a message. “They heard it loud and clear,” he explained. “If your top players aren’t performing, you can’t win in this league.”
Keith Kinkaid your new back up?
The 31 year-old Long Island native was grinning from ear to ear after picking up his 8th career shutout and his first since Nov. 15, 2018. Since being thrusted into action, Kinkaid has been sharp and using his large 6-3 frame to cover the net.
One has to question if Kinkaid hasn’t earned the back up role with Georgiev’s struggles this season once Igor Shesterkin comes back. Thus far he’s put up a 1.53 GAA to go along with a .933 SV% to earn that right.
Post Game Notes
- The Chris Kreider-Mika Zibanejad-Pavel Buchnevich line registered six points (two goals, four assists) in today’s game. Each player posted a multi-point game in the contest, and the three players were all on the ice for three of the Blueshirts’ four goals in the game.
- The Rangers did not allow a goal in today’s game. The Blueshirts have held their opponents to two goals or fewer in 10 of the last 18 games and have allowed two goals or fewer in 10 of their 11 wins in 2020-21.
- The Rangers registered 33 shots on goal in today’s contest, including 10 or more shots on goal in each period, and 16 of 18 skaters recorded at least one shot on goal in the game.
- The Blueshirts held the Bruins to a single-game season-low 18 shots on goal in today’s game and did not allow more than seven shots on goal in any period of the contest.
- The Rangers were 5-for-5 (9:15) on the penalty kill in today’s contest and held Boston to only five shots on goal over the Bruins’ five power play opportunities.
- Chris Kreider recorded two points (one goal, one assist), registered three shots on goal, tied a single-game career-high with a plus-three rating, and drew a penalty.
- K’Andre Miller tallied the first goal of the game, which was his first career NHL game-winning goal, tied for the game-high with four hits, posted a plus-two rating,drew a penalty, and was credited with two blocked shots while skating in a single-game season/career-high 23:36 of ice time.
- David Quinn earned his 80th career win as the Rangers’ Head Coach in today’s contest. He is the 12th head coach in franchise history who has registered 80 career wins, and he is two wins away from tying Fred Shero for 11th place on the Rangers’ all-time wins list among head coaches.
New York will practice tomorrow, 12:00 p.m. at MSG Training Center
Next Game: Monday, Mar. 15 vs. Philadelphia (7:00 p.m. ET – TV: MSG Network)
Notes courtesy NYR
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