DALLAS — A satisfying win for the Rangers was at the top of their holiday wish list.
Especially with a tough schedule ahead before the calendar flips to 2025, the Blueshirts' 3-1 win over the Western Conference championship favorites the Stars on Friday night at American Airlines Center. It was a performance that gave him confidence, and it was also a victory.
In front of a sold-out crowd of 18,532 and against a high-shooting team like Dallas, the Rangers snapped a three-game losing streak and earned their first win against a playoff team since Nov. 19.
The Rangers' penalty kill was the star of the show.
Frankly, that's the only thing that stood out about their game in the 3-11 debacle.
The Blueshirts have been perfect on penalties over the past six games, fending off all seven of the Stars' power plays, including a five-minute stretch late in the final frame.
During that time, the Rangers' penalty kill went 17-for-17.
The 12 power-play goals they have allowed so far this season are tied for the fewest in the NHL entering Friday's contest.
All of this was done without K'Andre Miller, one of the team's top penalty killers, who remains on injured reserve with an upper-body injury.
The Rangers haven't had many leads to protect lately, but the leads they did get didn't last long.
Dallas had 15 shots on Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (40 saves) in the third period alone, but Chris Kreider's empty-net goal with just over two minutes left in regulation put the game on ice. Ta.
Matt Lempe, returning to action for the Rangers for the first time since Nov. 25, made an impact before his night ended early with a five-minute elbow major and a game misconduct committed at 7:13 of the third period. I found a way to give. .
After slamming Miro Heiskanen into the boards, Rempe's elbow rose and slammed the Stars' first-pair defenseman to the ice.
This caused a scuffle in front of Dallas' bench, and referees arrived to break up the scuffle.
The 6-foot-8.5 forward took three penalties in the second period alone, but the Blueshirts were unable to capitalize on any of them as they went 0-for-3 on the power play.
Rempe also had five hits on the night in 5 minutes, 27 seconds of ice time.
The Rangers escaped with a lead in the first period for the first time in three games.
After both teams traded canceled goals for the first 90 seconds, Shesterkin allowed a long, juicy rebound that was scored by Lupe Hintz for a 1-0 lead.
Riley Smith then scored the Rangers' fourth shorthanded goal of the season, the second-most in the NHL.
The shorter player ignited the Rangers' push, allowing the visitors to outscore the Stars (15-9) and outscore them (13-5) in the first 20 minutes.
Vincent Trocheck then hit a shot from the top of the zone, giving the Rangers a 2-1 lead going into the first intermission.
