Artemi Panarin showcased his scoring prowess with a hat trick, including a controversial second goal that saw Bruins forward Jake DeBrusk inadvertently deflect the puck into his own net in the dying moments of the second period, as the New York Rangers secured a 5-2 victory over the Boston Bruins on Thursday night.
This marked the Rangers’ third win against Boston this season, tightening the race at the top of the Metropolitan Division standings. With this win, the Rangers now trail the Bruins, who hold the coveted Presidents’ Trophy for the best record in the NHL, by just one point.
Adam Fox joined the scoring spree, while Jonathan Quick stood tall between the pipes with 24 saves for New York. The Rangers have been in fine form lately, winning six of their last eight games. Mika Zibanejad sealed the win with an empty-net goal with two minutes remaining, followed by Panarin notching his career-high 41st goal of the season just a minute later, with the Bruins’ net still empty.
DeBrusk and Justin Brazeau managed to find the back of the net for Boston, with Jeremy Swayman making 26 saves. Despite the loss, the Bruins, with 97 points this season compared to New York’s 96, have only suffered their second defeat in seven games.
The Bruins initially took the lead 1-0 before Panarin’s first goal of the night found its way through the legs of defender Pavel Zacha and past Swayman with eight minutes left in the second period. Panarin’s second goal came in a bizarre sequence when he attempted a pass that was inadvertently redirected into the net by DeBrusk’s desperate dive.
Brazeau managed to level the score for Boston, capitalizing on a loose puck that slipped behind Quick following a shot from Marchand. However, just 40 seconds later, Fox rifled a shot into the top corner, giving the Rangers a crucial 3-2 lead.
Looking ahead, the Rangers will host the Florida Panthers on Saturday night, while the Bruins will travel to Philadelphia for their next matchup on Saturday.
