Kreider scores a pair to fuel series clincher

NEW YORK, NY — Games can turn on a dime. The Rangers proved that in Game 6 of the Easter Conference Final after they fell behind 1-0 in the first period to Tampa Bay. 

Midway through the second frame, the Lighting went from leading to trailing within a ten second span.

Artemi Pınarın and Chris Kreider scored seven seconds apart to give New York a 2-1 lead. And before the horn sounded for the second intermission, Kreider added a second goal with 4:33 left, and the Rangers went up by two and went on to win the game 3-2, and the series 4-2.

Next up for the Rangers is a trip to the Stanley Cup Final to face the Vancouver Canucks who swept the Nashville Predators in the Western Conference Final.

Panarin’s two goals sends Rangers to next round

NEW YORK, NY — Artemi Panarin put on a show in Game 7, scoring two goals in the first period to carry the Rangers to a 2-1 win over the Blue Jackets, sending New York to the Eastern Conference Final to face Tampa Bay who upset the favored Maple Leafs in five games. 

Panarin’s second goal was crucial, coming 17:17 into the first frame. In the second period, Jack Roslovic would put Columbus on the scoreboard with his third of the playoffs to cut the lead to one (2-1).

The Rangers survived the regular season on the back of the defense, and in the third period, defense stepped up and allowed the Blue Jackets to get off just two shots.

Goalie Igor Shesterkin didn’t have to work much, stopping all but one of Columbus’ 12 shot attempts. The victory improved his playoffs record to 8-3-1 with a 1.23 GAA an .934 SV%.

Lightning fast! Tampa Bay breezes past Cup-favorite Leafs

Nikita Kucherov and Mikhail Sergachecv scored goals to give Tampa Bay a 3-1 win over the Stanley Cup favored Toronto Maple Leafs. Auston Matthews scored Toronto’s goal. The loss was a huge disappointment for Leafs fans who saw their club finish the regal season with the most points (118).

Toronto was never really in the fight, winning just one game of the series. Matthews was the team’s leading scorer (10 goals, 12 points, 2 assists), while John Tavares failed to provide offensive support (4 goals, 8 points in 11 games). Goalie Ilya Samsovov also struggled (2.92 GAA, .903 SV%).

Chytil scores twice, Rangers eliminate Red Wings

NEW YORK, NY — Filip Chytil scored two goals to lead the Rangers to a 3-1 win over the Red Wings at Madison Square Garden. The victory gave the New York a 4-1 series victory and sends them to the next round to face the Blue Jackets who swept the Penguins.

Julian Gauthier broke a scoreless tie in the second period on an assist from defenseman Erik Gustafsson and Braden Schneider, then Chyti expanded the lead to 2-0 early in the third before the Red Wings answered through Andrew Copp. Chityl’s second of the night, an empty-netter with 37 seconds to play, put the game on ice.

Detroit’s lone victory in the series came in Game 2 when they defeated the Rangers 2-1 in overtime on goals by Copp and Joe Pavelski.

Last season, Detroit was also dealt an early elimination after failing to Boston in six games in the first round.

1ST ROUND RESULTS

Nashville 4, Colorado 3
Edmonton 4, Winnipeg 2
Vancouver 4, Vegas 2
Calgary 4, Chicago 1
Toronto 4, Ottawa 2
Tampa Bay 4, Buffalo 1
Columbus 4, Pittsburgh 0