Artemi Panarin showcased his scoring prowess once again, netting two goals in regulation and sealing the victory for the New York Rangers with a decisive shootout goal as they overcame the Florida Panthers 4-3 on Saturday night. Goalkeeper Igor Shesterkin’s 27 saves bolstered the Rangers’ comeback effort.
Carter Verhaeghe initially put the Panthers ahead 3-2 at 15:52 of the third period, but Panarin swiftly equalized the score at 16:35 with his second goal of the night, marking his 43rd goal of the season. Panarin’s recent form has been outstanding, tallying five goals in his last two games.
Matthew Tkachuk and Eetu Luostarinen also found the net for the Panthers, but it wasn’t enough to halt their losing streak, now at four games.
Adam Fox contributed a goal for the Rangers, while Vincent Trocheck provided three assists. Fox, extending his points streak to seven games, highlighted the team effort, acknowledging the significance of the win against a formidable opponent like the Panthers.
In the shootout, Panarin’s well-placed shot eluded Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, securing the victory for the Rangers. Mika Zibanejad also capitalized in the shootout, while Sam Reinhart scored for Florida. Shesterkin’s crucial save against former Ranger Vladimir Tarasenko sealed the deal for New York, propelling them past the Boston Bruins to claim the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
This victory marked the first time this season the Rangers triumphed over the Panthers, a team currently vying with the Bruins for the Atlantic Division lead.
Reflecting on the game, Panarin praised the team’s consistency in recent outings, acknowledging the challenge posed by the Panthers.
Bobrovsky put up a valiant effort for the Panthers, making 34 saves, including four in overtime. Despite the loss, Panthers coach Paul Maurice commended his team’s resilience and strong leadership.
The Rangers have historically performed well against the Panthers, winning six of their last nine encounters and boasting an impressive home record against Florida. New York has been particularly dominant at home this season, with a 25-9-0 record overall and a 19-5-2 record in their last 26 games.
Shesterkin’s stellar performance not only secured the win but also marked his 30th win of the season, continuing his impressive form.
Tkachuk and Luostarinen provided early goals for the Panthers, but Fox and Panarin’s contributions helped the Rangers claw back into the game. Panarin’s hat trick in the previous game against Boston showcased his scoring prowess as he aims to reach the 100-point milestone for the season.
Rangers rookie forward Matt Rempe returned to the lineup after serving a suspension for a high elbow incident in a previous game against the New Jersey Devils. Meanwhile, several key players were absent for the Panthers, including captain Aleksander Barkov and defensemen Aaron Ekblad, Gustav Forsling, and Dmitry Kulikov.
Looking ahead, the Rangers will face the Philadelphia Flyers next, while the Panthers will take on the Flyers in their upcoming fixture.
