Artemi Panarin scored a crucial goal in the third period to level the score, and then secured the shootout victory, helping the New York Rangers clinch their franchise-best 54th win against the New York Islanders with a 3-2 triumph on Saturday.
Goalkeeper Igor Shesterkin made 34 saves, while Braden Schneider and Vincent Trocheck also contributed to the win with goals. The Rangers are now edging closer to securing the Presidents’ Trophy for the NHL’s best regular-season record.
Panarin started the shootout with a goal against Ilya Sorokin. Then, Trocheck sealed the deal with a goal, ending the Islanders’ six-game winning streak in an intense showdown.
Despite Brock Nelson’s two goals in the second period giving the Islanders a 2-1 lead, Panarin’s late goal in regulation time helped the Rangers bounce back from a two-game losing streak.
Under the coaching of Patrick Roy, who replaced Lane Lambert on Jan. 20, the Islanders have been on a strong run lately, winning 8 out of their last 11 games. They are currently positioned third in the Metropolitan Division with 90 points and two games left to play.
