First Period:
- Brayden Point (23) (Power Play) Assists: Alex Killorn (30), Victor Hedman (44)
Second Period:
- Jacob Trouba (10) Assists: Alexis Lafreniere (7), Dryden Hunt (11)
Third Period:
- Mika Zibanejad (25) Assists: Artemi Panarin (56)
Stats:
Adam Rotter:
- The power play finds a way again. It seemed utterly crazy that the Rangers were going to spend so much time on the PP in this game and not just not get one, but not even create all that much. In the end though, Panarin finds Zibaneajd and the Rangers pull out a win and a season sweep of Tampa.
- I’ve been one to nit-pick and be overly critical, but it’s hard to find a lot of fault in tonight. The Rangers matched up with the two-time defending champs, more than held their own, and looked like they belonged in the conversation of top teams in the East. They have raised their game at the time of year when it has to be raised and picked up a very deserving two points.
- Igor Shesterkin was terrific again.
- The Goodrow, Chytil, Hunt line had a strong game as a third line, but it certainly wouldn’t be a shock if the third line on Tuesday has a new face.
- I was a little surprised that Igor Shesterkin got tonight’s game as I thought he would get the start against Carolina on short rest and after a tough game. My first thought was that maybe the Rangers weren’t starting Georgiev to protect him as a trade chip, but that goes out the window if he is starting tomorrow. I also had the thought of the NHL maybe nudging the Rangers to have Shesterkin start for promotional purposes of a prime-time game on ABC. That said, I’m sure TNT would have preferred Shesterkin start their first hockey broadcast in the Rangers first game of the season. So there probably wasn’t any ulterior reason for him starting other than Benoit Allaire making that decision.
- Next up the Rangers have a ridiculous 22-hour turnover and play Carolina at 6PM tomorrow. Carolina isn’t playing tonight and so an already tough game against a team that ran the Rangers out of the building earlier will be even tougher on short rest.