First Period:
- Austin Watson (7) Assists: Parker Kelly (3), Mark Kastelic (2)
- Artemi Panarin (21) Unassisted
Second Period:
- Andrew Copp (17) Assists: K’Andre Miller (11), Artemi Panarin (66)
- Chris Kreider (48) Assists: Ryan Lindgren (10), Mika Zibanejad (47)
- Ryan Strome (17) Assists: Artemi Panarin (67), Ryan Lindgren (11)
Third Period:
- Chris Kreider (49) Assists: Justin Braun (12), Frank Vatrano (10)
Three Stars:
- 3: Ryan Lindgren
- 2: Chris Kreider
- 1: Artemi Panarin
Stats:
Adam Rotter:
- 100 points and a playoff spot.
- In some ways I’m glad that the Rangers didn’t clinch last night and that they got to do it tonight, by winning and dominating the Senators. It’s been a foregone conclusion that they were going to be a playoff team almost since the beginning of the year and certainly since the middle of the season when the eight teams in the East separated themselves, but it’s not official.
- The Rangers never really gave the Senators a chance tonight. They were on it from the drop of the puck and had a win and clinching in their sights all night. Still, it was the Panarin line that was electric tonight and Chris Kreider continued his march to 50.
- Again, Panarin has brought his game back to the level it was at in 2019-20 and he seems determined to get to 100 points.
- It sure was nice to see Kaapo Kakko, and to an extent Kevin Rooney, back in the lineup since he’s been out for so long and the Rangers aren’t keen on providing many injury updates. We’ll see where he ultimately slots in and whether he stays on the third line with Alexis Lafreniere and Barclay Goodrow/Filip Chytil or whether he and Frank Vatrano swap spots. I can see it both ways as that was Kakko’s spot on the top line, but as a bigger and more well-rounded player than Vatrano, putting him on the third line deepens the Rangers lineup and still keeps Zibanejad and Kreider with a skilled finisher in Vatrano.
- Now the Rangers have nine games where they can push for the Metro title, rest players, reach statistical milestones and hopefully and most importantly, stay healthy.
- Tuesday against Carolina was always going to be a big game and a big test, but now the division title is truly in reach. Second place seemed like where the Rangers were going to be, but the chance to win the division could be right there for them.