First Period:

• Chris Kreider (34) (Power Play) Assists: Vladimir Tarasenko (29), Mika Zibanejad (45)
• Kaapo Kakko (17) Assists: Filip Chytil (23), K’Andre Miller (33)
• Tyler Motte (7) Assists: Barclay Goodrow (18), Braden Schneider (13)
• Alex Killorn (25) (Power Play) Assists: Mikhail Sergachev (51), Nikita Kucherov (78)

Second Period:

• Brandon Hagel (28) Assists: Darren Raddysh (3), Alex Killorn (36)
• Tyler Motte (8) Assists: Alexis Lafreniere (23), Barclay Goodrow (19)
• Brandon Hagel (29) Assists: Anthony Cirelli (17), Victor Hedman (38)

Third Period:

• Chris Kreider (35) Assists: Mika Zibanejad (46), Adam Fox (57)
• Artemi Panarin (26) (Power Play) Assists: Mika Zibanejad (47), Adam Fox (58)

Stats:

Notes:

• Patrick Kane did not play due to a lower-body injury and is being considered day-to-day.
• Jacob Trouba left the game in the first period with an upper-body injury and did not return.

Adam Rotter:

• This was an interesting and way more physical game than a somewhat meaningless game between two teams already going to the playoffs needed to be.
• It’s a good win for the Rangers and impressive to see them do some of the things that they have struggled with and to do it against a very good team like Tampa.
• They jumped out to an early lead, thanks to some bounces and less than stellar goaltending, and while it got to 3-2, Tyler Motte scored again to push it back to a 4-2 lead. We’ve seen the Rangers blow those leads plenty of times this season, but they not only stayed ahead, they built on it. They didn’t need to find a way to win tonight, they just won.
• The Kid Line continues to really impress and while it might be a stretch, 20 goals and 40 points for each of them is still in play.
• Maybe it was a coincidence or just taking what was in front of them, but the PP scored twice without Patrick Kane.
• Part of me thinks that the Rangers should rest Kane the rest of the season and give him as much time to heal or get treatment or whatever before the playoffs. The Rangers got him for the playoffs, but at the same time, Kane is still finding his way, spot and role on this team. That seems like something he could continue to figure out over the final four games and not Game 1 in New Jersey, but is that worth the risk of whatever is ailing him either getting worse or does it make sense to rest him for nearly two weeks before the playoffs start.
• Seeing Ryan Lindgren back out there was great. Seeing him fighting. though for the right reason, was not so great.
• We’ll see if there is something wrong with Jacob Trouba or if they held him out as a precaution.
• Igor Shesterkin was very good, again.
• They go to St. Louis tomorrow, Columbus on Saturday and then two home games, Buffalo on Monday and Toronto on Thursday, to close out the regular season.