Artemi Panarin and Kaapo Kakko help Rangers snap four game losing streak, beat Flyers 3-2 in shootout
Rangers vs Flyers: The Blueshirts (5-7-3) snapped a four game losing streak by squeaking out a 3-2 shootout win against the Flyers (8-3-3). Artemi Panarin picked up an assist after a two game absence for his team leading 16th point on the year, but he also notched the game winning shootout goal against Carter Hart.
Rangers vs Flyers: We all love carbs!
The Breadman came through like a NY Slice of Pizza after a long hard day without lunch. The Blueshirts were desperate for a win after losing 4 straight and Artemi Panarin picked up an assist on Brendan Smith’s goal and then won it in the shootout.
“I missed a few games and I feel better,” Panarin said through an interpreter. “It was important for me to get a feel for the game early on and create offense. I have some things to work on, and we’re going to continue working here.”
For the Flyers, they were without several players like Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek who remained on the COVID list. This was Philadelphia’s first game in 10 days but the Rangers learned their painful lesson against the Devils and played with pace for 60 minutes.
Kid Kakko looks like a powerhouse
Kaapo Kakko may have turned 20 recently, but he’s still a kid in the grand scheme of things. However, his play on the ice is rapidly maturing as he looks like one of the Blueshirts more confident players as of late.
Although he did not score, Kakko was a force throughout the game and was dominant on the puck all night. He even made an incredible pass in OT to Pavel Buchnevich that resulted in a PP. Unfortunately the Rangers did not score, but that did set up one hell of a shootout.
Here’s how it went down. David Quinn rewarded Kakko for his great game by letting him be one of the shooters. Kakko rewarded him right back. Quinn noted that he opted him to shoot first since the Flyers didn’t score on their attempt. Less pressure – good result.
That was followed up with Artemi Panarin’s eventual winner.
And finally, Alexandar Georgiev’s last stop of the night.
Post Game Notes
- New York played its first road game since Jan. 28 at Buffalo. The Rangers have won each of their last two road games and have earned at least one point in three of their five road contests this season.
- The Rangers outshot the Flyers, 33-22, in tonight’s contest. Entering the game, the Rangers had a plus-43 shot differential this season, which was the seventh-best in the NHL (only trailing Boston, Montreal, Vegas, Colorado, Carolina, and Tampa Bay).
- The Rangers were 5-for-5 (8:35) on the penalty kill in tonight’s game and held Philadelphia to only four shots on goal over the Flyers’ five power play opportunities. The Blueshirts have killed off 30 of their opponents’ 32 power play opportunities over the last nine games (93.8%).
- Alexandar Georgiev made 20 saves in regulation and the five-minute overtime period and stopped two of three shooters in the shootout to earn his second win of the season. He also was credited with one shot on goal in the contest. Georgiev has helped the Rangers earn at least one point in each of his last three appearances.
- Brendan Smith recorded a goal, drew two penalties, and posted a plus-one rating.
- Pavel Buchnevich recorded a power play assist in tonight’s contest. Buchnevich tallied his 157th career point with the Rangers, passing Sergei Zubov for the third-most points by a Russian-born player with the Blueshirts in franchise history.
Rangers practice is scheduled for today, 12:00 p.m. at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
Next Game: Saturday, Feb. 20 at Washington (12:30 p.m. ET – TV: MSG Network)
Post game notes courtesy NYR
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