The New York Rangers completed their three-game road trip with a 7-4 win in Pittsburgh.
The New York Rangers completed their three-game road trip and began their 12th and final back-to-back this season as they defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 7-4 in a high scoring affair.
The game marked Chris Kreider's 800th career NHL game -- all with the Blueshirts, and he celebrated by recording a goal and two assists.
2:36 into the first period, the Penguins struck first, as John Ludvig fired a tricky snap-shot from the blueline past Jonathan Quick.
Only :31 later, the Blueshirts tied the game, when Kaapo Kakko scored his ninth goal of the season, with an assist going to Jimmy Vesey.
Incredibly, 26 seconds later, Adam Fox put the Rangers ahead, as he scored his 12th of the season from Artemi Panarian and Vincent Trochek.
Later in the first Pens forward, Bryan Rust scored his 20th goal of the season tying the game at two.
But the Rangers took back the lead heading into the first intermission, when Panarian scored his 37th goal of the season on a beautiful passing exchange with Trocheck and K'Andre Miller.
Halfway through the second period, Lars Ellen fired home a power play goal, once again drawing even with the Rangers.
Panarin gave the Rangers the lead when he deposited a rebound with 3:33 to play in the second. That's was The Breadman's second goal of the game and 38th of the season.
The Blueshirts stayed on the PP after Chris Letang was called for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Incredible passing turned into another PPG, as Zibanejad fired home a Chris Kreider pass with 2:28 to play in the second, giving New York a 5-3 lead.
K'Andre Miller then scored 4:41 into the third, Alex Nedeljkovic replaced Tristan Jarry, as the Rangers took a 6-3 lead.
The Penguins wouldn't quit however, as Valtteri Puustinen reduced Pittsburgh's deficit to 6-4 with 12:37 to go in third.
Despite the interesting finish the Rangers closed the show, as Quick shut the door time and time again in the third period.
Kreider added an empty net goal to give the Blueshirts the 7-4 win. Panarian finished with five points.
NEXT GAME: The Rangers will host the New york Islanders on Sunday at 1PM at Madison Square Garden.
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