Artemi Panarin tallies two goals while leading the New York Rangers to a dominant 4-1 victory over the Washington Capitals.
- New York Rangers 4 (9-8-2, 20 pts)
- Washington Capitals 1 (16-4-4, 36 pts)
- NHL, Final, Box Score
- Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
The best team in the NHL (based on points) invaded Madison Square Garden Wednesday night. By the time it was all over, the best team in the NHL came away with no points.
The New York Rangers dominated the Washington Capitals in many areas on NBC Sports’ Wednesday night’s contest, eventually coming away with the 4-1 victory.
Artemi Panarin, the Bread Man, delivered. His two goals served as the first two of the game and paced the Rangers offensively.
After a scoreless first period, Panarin cashed in with a wicked wrister just 1:04 into the second period. It was his 10th of the young season, coming on the power-play.
Oh what a shot by Artemi Panarin. Rangers now lead 2-0 after another power-play tally. #PlayLikeANewYorkerpic.twitter.com/ynoILTuGhO
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) November 21, 2019
His second came just 3:57 into the final period. He cleaned up a rebound, again, making it count on the power-play.
Just 23 seconds later, Filip Chytil and Pavel Buchnevich hook up on a pretty one, making it 3-0 in favor of the home team.
Artemi Panarin snags his second of the game on the power-play, and then, moments later, Filip Chytil and Pavel Buchnevich hook up for the pretty one. 3-1 Rangers in the third after the Caps strike back. #PlayLIkeANewYorker pic.twitter.com/0IUlDlzOFL
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) November 21, 2019
Henrik Lundqvist picked up the win, the 454th of his illustrious career. After stopping 31 of the 32 shots he faced on the night, the King is now tied with Curtis Joseph for fifth all-time in that category.
On the other side, Braden Holtby managed just 27 saves on 31 total Ranger shots.
Evgeny Kuznetsov put a brief scare into the Garden faithful when he cashed in on the power-play 3:24 after the Buchnevich goal, but a Brett Howden capper at the 13:34 mark put an end to result once in doubt.
The only thing that remained was the dirty stuff, the dirty work, and Tom Wilson, who had it going all game, continued. The problem was this: Brendan Lemieux obliged.
Like father, like son (except the young Lemieux hasn't yet sent an opponent into the boards with dirty intent in his eyes during the WCF).
How Brendan Lemieux stayed on his skates here we'll never know. He hangs in there with the much bigger Tom Wilson. #PlayLikeANewYorker pic.twitter.com/vWDFwPHaUf
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) November 21, 2019
Young Kaapo Kakko, who’s been battling the flu, tallied two assists on the night.
Next up for the Rangers will be the Senators in Ottawa this Friday night.
