Artemi Panarin scores twice in regulation, Rangers beat Panthers 4-3 i…
[ad_1]
NEW YORK (AP) — Artemi Panarin scored twice in regulation and added the decisive goal in the shootout, Igor Shesterkin made 27 saves and the New York Rangers rallied to beat the Florida Panthers 4-3 on Saturday night.
Carter Verhaeghe put the Panthers ahead 3-2 with his 31st goal at 15:52 of the third but Panarin knotted the contest at 16:35 with his second of the game and team-leading 43rd of the season. He has five goals in his last two games.
Matthew Tkachuk and Eetu Luostarinen also scored for the Panthers, who lost their fourth straight game.
Adam Fox also scored for the Rangers and Vincent Trocheck had three assists.
“It was a good effort by us,” said Fox, who extended his points streak to seven games. ”The crowd got into it. It was a big win … They are a good team, on top of the league for a reason.”
During the shootout, Panarin beat Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky with a high shot. Mika Zibanejad also scored for the Rangers and Sam Reinhart scored for Florida. Shesterkin denied former Ranger Vladimir Tarasenko to cement the victory for the Rangers, who moved ahead of the Boston Bruins for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. The Bruins lost to Philadelphia 3-2 on Saturday.
It was the first time in three games this season the Rangers beat the Panthers, who are battling the Bruins for the Atlantic Division lead.
“They are a good team, hard to play against,” Panarin said. “Last few games have been great for us. We’re playing consistently.”
Bobrovsky finished with 34 saves including four in overtime.
“This game was good. We played hard,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. ”Sergei made a couple of big saves. We were anchored right. Our leadership was fantastic.”
The Rangers have won six of their last nine games against the Panthers and are 6-1-1 in their last eight home games against Florida. New York improved to 25-9-0 overall at home this season and is 19-5-2 in its last 26 games.
Shesterkin also made four saves in overtime and improved to…
[ad_2]