Artemi Panarin scored a hat trick, and the New York Rangers defeated the Boston Bruins 5-2.
The New York Rangers headed to Boston for an Original Six matchup, looking to bounce back from their disappointing loss to the Winnipeg Jets Tuesday. The game also marked Peter Laviolette's 1,500th behind the bench, joining eight previous coaches to reach that incredible milestone.
Artemi Panarin led the way, picking up a hat trick, leaving the sniper with 41 goals this season, a new career high as the Rangers defeated the Bruins 5-2 in Boston.
The Bruins struck first as Jake DeBrusk scored his 18th goal of the season to give Boston a 1-0 lead. The goal came on a rebound after a pretty passing play 8:04 into the game.
Trent Frederic and Justin Brazeau were given the assists as they tried to jam the puck home before it popped out to Debrusk who buried it.
Both teams had chances on the power play in the first period but did not capitalize. The Rangers were 0-for-1, while the Bruins were 0-for-2.
The first period concluded with the Bruins scoring the lone goal.
12:02 into the second period, Panarin evened the score at one with his 39th of the season.
Alexis Lafreniere played the puck to Braden Schneider who rushed it into the zone before hitting Panarin who lost the puck, regathered it, and shot it through Jeremy Swayman’s five-hole. Lafreniere recorded his 25th assist of the season on the play.
Panarin then scored his 40th goal of the season in the second period’s final minute, giving the Rangers their first lead of the night with only 35 seconds remaining.
The Breadman was looking to pass the puck to Alex Wennberg before the puck deflected off of a sprawled out Bruins defender, and into the net.
Panarin is the first Ranger since Jaromir Jagr (2005-06) to have 40-plus goals and 50-plus assists in one season.
Two unanswered goals for the Rangers gave them the 2-1 lead at the second intermission.
3:17 into the third period, the Bruins tied the game at two. Jesper Boqvist shot the puck from the low slot before Brad Marchand tried to put the puck in the net. However, it ended up being Brazeau who slammed it past the goal line while in the crease.
The tie score did not last long, as Fox re-gained the Rangers lead just 40 seconds later, 3:57 into the third. The Blueshirts worked the puck around the zone with Erik Gustafsson at the point making a slap pass to Fox who was cutting in on the right side.
Fox sniped the puck past goalie Swayman, while Mika Zibanejad was credited with the secondary assist to give New York a 3-2 lead. Fox reached a career high 13 goals and extended his scoring streak to six games.
Zibanejad then scored an empty netter to give the Rangers their first two-goal lead of the night with only 2:03 remaining. Chris Kreider and Vincent Trocheck recorded assists.
Panarin soon after made it 5-2 Rangers, netting his third goal of the night -- a hat trick. Fox chipped the puck out of the zone and allowing Panarin to race after it, then backhanding the puck into the empty cage to seal the Rangers win.
Jonathan Quick was stellar in net making 24 saves. The win now gives quick 391 career wins, and he has now tied Ryan Miller for the most wins among U.S. born goalies.
The Rangers return home Saturday, as they host the Florida Panthers at 8 PM at Madison Square Garden.