In a rare high scoring affair for the New York Rangers, they came away with two points in Pittsburgh despite allowing four goals against, another rarity for the Blueshirts. A 5 goal first period between the two teams with multiple special teams goals made for an entertaining win and a big two points as their 5-in-7 closes out this weekend.
Allowing four goals isn’t ideal, but it again shows that the Rangers can win in different ways. When the defense and goaltending falter, the offense can take over when needed. The offense, specifically Artemi Panarin, stepped up in a big way. Panarin’s 5 point day led the Rangers, perhaps trying to take over where Brayden Point left off Thursday night.
Panarin decided it was his turn to do the same to the Penguins. With 2 goals, and 3 assists, he was the driving force offensively and why the Rangers were able to put a chokehold on the Penguins going into the third period. The MVP conversation is going to be hard at this stage of the season, since the award appears to simply be another Art Ross Trophy lately.
Panarin became the only Ranger in franchise history to have four 90 point seasons. We’ve established that Panarin is the best free agent signing in Rangers history, but he’s also likely going to be in the conversation for best undrafted player of all time (Martin St. Louis comes to mind as well). With 38 goals on the season, he’s likely to become the first Ranger since Jaromir Jagr with a 40 goal/50 assist season.
The countdown continues for Chris Kreider, as his empty-netter brought him to 298 career goals, 109 goals away Rod Gilbert’s franchise goals record. Kreider has been this generations “Mr. Ranger.” If he wins a Cup and/or breaks the record, expect to see #20 in the rafters. With three straight 30-goal seasons in his early-thirties, he’s on pace to do so as his current contract ends.
The schedule has done no favors for the Rangers, as last night was their fourth game in six days. Jonathan Quick was in net and despite a shaky first period, he settled in and gave this team a chance to win. He’s been a story all year long: An unlikely bounce back year that awarded him a contract extension, he is 2 wins away from becoming the all-time winningest American goaltender, passing Ryan Miller.
Off the ice, he has been a calming presence for the team. By all accounts, he’s a fantastic team guy, and for him to be so close to getting this record while he’s under contract with the team he grew up cheering for is a fantastic story. The best way for his career to end in storybook fashion would be with a Stanley Cup in New York.
The Rangers close out this 5-in-7 this afternoon against the Islanders.
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