Rangers’ successful formula continues with conference final within reach
RALEIGH, N.C. — There was beauty and beauty in Artemi Panarin’s backhand deflection from Vincent Trocheck’s relay to win Game 3 in overtime here on Thursday. There was both simplicity. Few players have the world-class ability to change the direction of the puck like this. But every player in the league, really around the world, […]
Igor Shesterkin has been Rangers’ biggest difference-maker
RALEIGH, N.C. — There are many reasons why the Rangers held a commanding 3-0 lead in the second round heading into Saturday night’s Game 4 against the Hurricanes, one win away from advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals. . To be exact, there are 99 of them. That’s the number Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin has […]
Rangers’ Game 3 win secures first 7-0 postseason start since 1994
If Rangers fans were looking for another example similar to the team’s winning record in 1994, they found it Thursday night. The Rangers had a dramatic victory over the Hurricanes in the second round of the playoffs, winning seven straight and now 7-0 in the postseason, a feat they haven’t accomplished since reaching the Stanley […]
Rangers’ Alexis Lafreniere now living up to high early expectations
RALEIGH, N.C. — There was a time when Alexis Lafreniere had nowhere to hide. Now he is ignored and undervalued. Expectations were high as Lafreniere was selected No. 1 overall in the 2020 draft, making him the Rangers’ first No. 1 overall pick since the Universal Draft began in 1970. Alexis Lafreniere celebrates with his […]
Filip Chytil’s return gives Rangers ’emotional’ lift in Game 3 win
RALEIGH, N.C. — When Filip Sitil watched the Rangers from home, whether it was during a recovery trip to the Czech Republic or in New York, the 24-year-old center said he felt like something was missing. So when he was cleared to play after his fourth suspected concussion, which had sidelined him since Nov. 2, […]
Chris Kreider’s short-handed goal captures pulse of these Rangers
RALEIGH, N.C. — Even with Artemi Panarin’s game-winning goal Thursday night, the Rangers defeated Carolina 3-2 and held a commanding 3-0 series lead 1:43 into overtime. There wasn’t. This program. The play that truly encapsulated just how special this Rangers team is and how egregious it was to upset Carolina in the second round of […]
Rangers’ Artemi Panarin delivered biggest goal of brilliant season
Highlights of the Rangers’ 3-2 overtime road win over the Hurricanes on Thursday night: 1. Artemi Panarin The Rangers’ leading scorer this season won the game with a goal 1:47 into overtime. It was the biggest goal of the season for a man who scored 49 goals and scored 120 points during the regular season. […]
Rangers’ Peter Laviolette spot-on with Filip Chytil lineup gamble
RALEIGH, N.C. — This is my opinion, not Peter Laviolette’s, but here’s why the Rangers’ head coach included Filip Sztil in the lineup for Thursday’s Game 3 of the conference semifinals for the first time in 188 days. I think it’s because the club is thinking about what’s next. They’ll need No. 72 for the […]
Blake Wheeler celebrates Rangers’ Game 3 OT win with teammates
Blake Wheeler didn’t let an injury stop him from celebrating. The Rangers winger suffered a right foot injury in mid-February and is likely to be out for the rest of the season, but he has traveled with the team during the postseason and watched Thursday’s overtime game from the tunnel leading to the visitors’ locker […]
Rangers’ Filip Chytil returns from lengthy injury absence for Game 3
RALEIGH, N.C. — Igor Shesterkin led the Rangers in warmups for Game 3 of their second-round series against the Hurricanes, with Filip Sztil right behind him. The Czech center stepped onto the ice under the white hue of the lights at PNC Arena for his first game since suffering what was believed to be the […]