First Period:
- Jason Zucker (3) Assists: Evgeni Malkin (4), Chad Ruhwedel (1)
Second Period:
- Kevin Rooney (2) Assists: Artemi Panarin (6), Ryan Lindgren (2)
Third Period:
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- Chris Kreider (4) (Power Play) Assists: Adam Fox (5), Artemi Panarin (7)
- Artemi Panarin (5) Assists: Ryan Strome (2)
Three Stars:
- 3: Adam Fox
- 2: Chris Kreider
- 1: Igor Shesterkin
Stats
Brendan Smith, who collided with one of the Penguins in the first period, did not return.
Adam Rotter:
- The Rangers needed this one. After all the one goal losses and after the last 48 hours, the Rangers needed to come up with two points tonight and they did.
- It certainly wasn’t their best performance through the first 40 minutes. They were good very early but then they took too many penalties and Pitt sort of controlled the puck, but the Rangers were a different team in the third period. They looked like the third period Rangers of last year, played with urgency, won battles, were first to pucks and they finally converted on the PP to get the win.
- It was another night where the PP was moving the puck well, but wasn’t scoring. That was the case until Adam Fox made a terrific shot/pass for Chris Kreider to deflect and give the Rangers the lead and ultimately the game.
- The PK, on the other hand, was outstanding. It was too many penalties, but the PK was enormous and kept the game close for the Rangers until they found their game in the third period.
- Chris Kreider continues to to play a new “best game of the season” almost every game now. He was the Rangers best forward tonight, had numerous chances and certainly looked like someone trying to set a tone for this team.
- Artemi Panarin was solid, Adam Fox was great, K’Andre Miller made a great save on a rebound where Igor Shesterkin was out of position, and was just good. Shesterkin was way out of position on the Pens goal, but he came up with some big saves.
- This was important for the Rangers and while they have found ways to lose games this season, tonight they found a way to win. They stepped up in the third, got big games and production from their big players and saves, when needed, from their goalie. It’s only one game, and frankly only one period, but it’s something the Rangers need to build on. If the Rangers want to make a run at a playoff spot they need their third period to carry over. Thursday is a huge test against a Washington team that is one of the best in the league. It was supposed to be Henrik Lundqvist’s return to MSG, but instead it’s just the next chance for the Rangers to build on their consistency and continue to get big performances from their best players and their young players.