The New York Rangers secured a dominant 4-0 victory over the St. Louis Blues, highlighted by Igor Shesterkin’s 13th career shutout in his milestone 200th NHL game. Shesterkin made 26 saves, continuing his impressive form this season with a record of 27-13-2. First-period goals by Vincent Trocheck and Jimmy Vesey set the tone for the Rangers, while Chris Kreider and Kaapo Kakko added insurance tallies. Artemi Panarin and Adam Fox contributed two assists each, showcasing the team’s offensive depth.
This victory solidified the Rangers’ strong position in the Metropolitan Division, where they lead second-place Carolina by four points. The win also improved their record to 22-8-0 at Madison Square Garden, with nine victories in their last ten home games. Coach Peter Laviolette praised the team’s sharp 60-minute effort, reflecting their recent consistency and balanced contributions from both veteran players and newcomers.
The Rangers’ power play was a key factor, converting on three of six opportunities. Trocheck opened the scoring during a power play in his 700th career game, and Kreider added another power-play goal in the third period. Kakko capped the scoring with yet another power-play marker, emphasizing the team’s ability to capitalize on St. Louis’ penalties. Rookie Matt Rempe also made an impact despite his would-be goal being disallowed, earning recognition for his physical play and energy on a reconfigured line.
St. Louis, meanwhile, continued its struggles, losing its third straight game and falling to a 3-7-1 record in its last 11 outings. Interim coach Drew Bannister cited penalties and the Rangers’ skill as key issues. Shesterkin’s stellar saves, including critical stops against Brandon Saad, Kasperi Kapanen, and Robert Thomas, underscored the Blues’ inability to generate offense against a disciplined Rangers defense.
In addition to the win, the Rangers showcased new roster additions. Alexander Wennberg and Jack Roslovic made their team debuts, contributing to the lineup’s versatility. Wennberg assisted on Kakko’s goal and showed promise centering a new line, while Roslovic found synergy with Mika Zibanejad and Kreider. Defenseman Chad Ruhwedel, acquired in a recent trade, participated in warmups but was scratched for the game. The Rangers’ depth and cohesion continue to drive their success as they prepare for the season’s final stretch.
