New York Rangers
Alexis Lafraniere scored twice in regulation, and Alexander Radulov put in the game-winner in overtime to give New York a 4-3 victory against the Florida Panthers, extending the Rangers winning streak to 3 games.
The Panthers couldn’t hold an early 2-0 lead and allowed the Rangers to tie the game 2-2 early in the third period, but they retook the lead when Anthony Duclair beat Igor Shesterkin (15-6-1) in the final minute of regulation. But it wasn’t over yet — New York’s Morgan Barron scored inside the crease with just 5 seconds left to play to force overtime.
The game-winner came when Radulov carried the puck into Florida’s zone looking to squeeze off a cross ice pass to Ryan Strome for a one-timer, but instead, Rudalov fired from the right circle to beat Juuse Saros (17-9-2) with a snap shot inside the far post with 23 second left in overtime.
The Rangers moved into 9th-place after their win over Florida. They now sit three points behind 8th-place Philadelphia. Radulov’s GWG was his third of the season. In 79 games last season, he recorded just once GWG.
Andrei Svechnikov scored twice for the Avalanche but they needed more. The Rangers (15-13-2) fought off a late comeback attempt by Colorado and held on to win 6-5 at Madison Square Garden. Colorado (21-8-4) is the top team in the Western Conference.
After taking a 6-3 lead on Sammy Blais’ 4th goal of the season with less that three minutes to play in the second period, Dmitrij Jaskin scored to make it 6-4 before the end of the period. Sebastian Aho cut the Rangers lead to 6-5 two minutes into the third, then New York’s defense stepped up, led by Riley Smith and K’Andre Miller’s 3 hits each, to halt the comeback.
The much-needed win for New York is their third in the last four games as they try to make up ground in the Eastern Conference. It was the first game against Colorado with the next scheduled for January 14, on Rangers home ice.
Sunday — Alexander Radulov returned from injury and assisted on two goals to help lead the Rangers to a 4-3 win over the LA Kings. Artemi Panarin scored his 16th of the season with under a minute to play to lift New York into the lead. Kappo Kakko scored two goals, and Igor Shesterkin made 24 saves. The Rangers are 12th in the East, 6 points from 8th-place Buffalo.
Tuesday — Alexis Lafraniere scored two goals to help the Rangers snap a 3-game losing streak in a 5-3 victory over Florida at FLA Live Arena. New York battled back from an 0-2 deficit to score twice in the 2nd period on goals by Lafraniere and Vitali Kravtsov. Florida (17-11-1) regained the lead early in the 3rd frame, but Lafraniere’s 5th of the season handed the Rangers a 4-3 and final lead. Igor Shesterkin made 29 saves to earn his 11th win.
The Rangers (12-9-1, 22 points) begin the week in 5th place of the Metropolitan Division. The are two points behind the Sabres and four points behind 7th-place Florida. Artemi Panarin is the team’s points leader (23) and goals leader (23). Brayden Holtby begins the week on the injured list with a possible concussion and might be out for 1-2 weeks.
Sunday — Strong start on the week for the Rangers who blew past the Avalanche, a 15-win team that leads the Central Division.
11th-place Rangers (9-7-1, 19 points) have an uphill battle to get back into the mix for a playoffs position. Entering the week 3 points behind 8th-place Buffalo.
Sunday — Artemi Panarin scored his first goal of the season in the 5-3 loss to the Flyers who led 3-1 early in the second period before the Rangers would tie on Sammy Blais’s 3rd of the season. Konecny broke the tie 10:32 into the final frame. (L – Shesterkin 35-40 saves, W – Korpisalo 34-37 saves).
Tuesday — Rangers rebound with big win on Penguins home ice. Five different Rangers scored including Lafraniere and Panarin. Shesterkin earned the win, now 8-3-0, 2.21 GAA.
Patience running thin with Brayden Holtby
The Rangers are running out of patience with Brayden Holtby. When Igor Shesterkin sits, Holtby hasn’t performed well as the backup goalie. In eight games, Holtby has a .883 SV%, and 3.100 GAPG. Shesterkin has a .930 SV% and 1.86 GAPG.
On the lookout for replacement
Rangers scouts have been assigned to a few backup goalies that might be traded for. Completed scouting reports should come back by November 30.
Other players needing to step up their game
C/LW Filip Chytil, 17 GP, -5
LD K’Andre Miller, 17 GP, -4, 20 PIM
RW Vitali Kravtsov, 17 GP, -3, 2 G, 5 A
TEAM RANKINGS
2.76 GFPG (20th) / 2.53 GAPG (8th)
22.2% PP (3rd) / 87.8% PK (10th)
Home 8-5-0 / Road 5-4-1
THE WRAP UP
The Rangers (18-14-2) finished December winning 6 of their last 10 games and moved into 9th-place, 3 points behind 8th-place Flyers. Artemi Panarin leads the team in points (33), and in goals (17). Igor Shesterkin (16-7-2) takes a 2.78 GAA into January.
