NY Rangers big third period propelled them to a big blowout win.

The NY Rangers big third period at MSG propelled them to a a blow out win against the Florida Panthers. The big win is hopefully the first step in the Rangers righting the ship after some subpar and inconsistent hockey of late. It was certainly needed, blowing out an inferior opponent. The new top line of Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, and Mika Zibanejad took advantage of third stringer Alex Lyon in net, decimating him for three goals, including one on the powerplay.

Three of the four Rangers lines, all new(ish) lines got in the scoring action, with Alexis Lafreniere and the Kid Line reuniting and giving the Rangers a three goal cushion in the third period, just seconds before Zibanejad’s second of the game. The third line of Jimmy Vesey, Vincent Trocheck, and Barclay Goodrow got themselves a greasy goal by crashing the net.

The score sheet shows the Rangers got outshot horribly in the first two periods, but it is a bit misleading. The Rangers were generating chances in the first, but couldn’t seem to capitalize. The back half of the second period and all of the third were much better, and it showed with the way the Rangers blew it open.

And how about that Igor Shesterkin, quietly sporting a .924 SV% since December 1. Almost scored too.

Rangers 1, Panthers 0

Florida didn’t have much of a defensive breakdown here, and the only real fault is the turnover heading into the offensive zone. They had numbers back, just got beat by a very good line, passing play, and move by Adam Fox.

Panthers 1, Rangers 1

There’s a lot going on with this goal by Florida that isn’t easily written off by the Rangers being on the penalty kill. First, it was a poorly timed change by the Rangers, which is funny since they were on the kill because of a too many men penalty. Then Jimmy Vesey went to Jacob Trouba’s man instead of the passing lane to the slot.

Rangers 2, Panthers 1

The powerplay for the Rangers answered the call, finally, with Mika Zibanejad finally getting one from his usual spot. The key play is Vincent Trocheck cutting back to the high slot, drawing attention and opening that slot line pass from Panarin over to Zibanejad. The role of the bumper is to create lanes, and Trocheck did just that.

Rangers 3, Panthers 1

Chaos in front creates goals, and the Rangers newly minted third line crashed the net after the face off, and used the chaos to bury one. A greasy goal.

Rangers 4, Panthers 1

What a shift from the kid line, putting on consistent pressure, ending with chaos in front and Alexis Lafreniere getting off the schneid. Chaos in front and hard work pay off.

Rangers 5, Panthers 1

Sometimes you just take a step back and marvel in what the Rangers can do when they are on. Just note Chris Kreider in front with another screen and ensuring Zibanejad had all day to score.

Rangers 5, Panthers 2

There is certainly some bad luck with Igor Shesterkin here, but that’s two too many Rangers going to the puck carrier and not marking their man on the rush. Aleksander Barkov should not be that wide open at the back door.

Rangers 6, Panthers 2

Filip Chytil empty netter, a minute or so after Igor Shesterkin just missed one.

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