Stan Fischler On Rangers Cup Chances In an Original Six matchup, the Rangers were the heavy "on paper" favorites, and until late in the third, the game was in question. But the stronger, faster and more skilled Blueshirts eventually came through winning 5-2 at The Garden. Artemi Panarin led the Rangers with a goal and three assists, while Mika Zibanejad scored twice while registering an assist,. Artemi Panarin led the rangers with a goal and three assists. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA1NTgyODExNDQzMjQyMDU4/usatsi_22874028.jpg] Artemi Panarin led the rangers with a goal and three assists. Before the game, the Rangers announced that Vincent Trocheck won the 2023-24 Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award. After holding most of the play in the first period, and with the Rangers ahead 17-10 in the shot department, the Canadiens struck first when Cole Caufield (24th goal of the season) put home a rebound emanating from a point slap-pass from David Savard, angled just left of Blueshirt goalie, Igor Shesterkin. The Canadiens held a 1-0 lead after the first period, with the Rangers owned a 17-12 shot advantage. The Rangers were 0-1, unable to convert on the power play after a Michael Pezzetta cross check. In the second, the Rangers made several pushes, and limited the Canadiens chances to a handful. With 7:39 to play in the second period, still down 1-0, the Rangers headed to the power play for the second time, still looking to get on the scoreboard. With the extra man, Zibanejad appeared to have made a pass, however the puck ended up in the back of the Montreal net, tying the game at one. For Zibanejad, it was his 25th goal of the season, while Panarin and Adam Fox were awarded assists. With 28.3 seconds remaining Will Cuylle was called for tripping Mike Matheson, giving Montreal their first power play of the night. The Rangers killed off those 28.3 seconds and headed to the dressing room after two periods tied 1-1. In the third, the Blueshirts killed off the remainder of the Habs power play, while Shesterkin stood tall in net, including a Juraj Slafkovsky shot that hit the Rangers goalie and damaged his mask. 3:05 into the third, Joel Armia was called for hooking Alex Wennberg, and the Rangers made them pay. Chris Kreider scored at 3:59 of the third, his 109th career power play goal, placing him second all-time in that category in Rangers franchise history, moving past Rod Gilbert. Then just over two minutes later, Panarin (46) converted a beautiful passing play with Alexis Lafreniere, giving the Blueshirts their first two-goal lead of the evening. But the Canadiens were not done. With 7:47 remaining in the third, Alex Newhook (13) broke free after receiving a phenomenal breakout pass by Matheson. He received the pass behind the Rangers backline defenders, who were caught flat-footed, then beat Shesterkin to make it a one-goal game at 3-2. But the Rangers did not let up, regaining their two-goal lead at 16:56 of the third when Zibanejad scored his second of the night and 26th of the season coming from Jimmy Vesey. Lafreniere then iced the game scoring his 27th goal of the season with an empty Canadiens net, giving the Rangers a 5-2 lead, which eventually wound up the final score. The Rangers are back in action on Tuesday at UBS Arena vs. the Islanders at 7PM.
