The Boston Bruins came into town to take on the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden and it was an exciting contest.
Artemi Panarin put on a show for the fans at The World’s Most Famous Arena with a goal and two assists. Kaapo Kakko who talked about bulking up and going to the net today, contributed a goal and an assist to help the Rangers.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”863198″ player=”25579″ title=”Key%20additions%20to%20the%20NYR” duration=”67″ description=”Meet the newest key additions to the Rangers lineup this season.” uploaddate=”2021-09-14″ thumbnailurl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/19073/thumb/863198_t_1631632189.png” contentUrl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/19073/sd/863198.mp4″]
Recap: Rangers 3 vs Bruins 2
The opening period had some good pace with the Rangers coming out of the gate strong. Immediately noticeable was Kaapo Kakko who showed great skating legs and strength early on. That was even more apparent as he worked the half-wall on the power play. The Blueshirts had good puck movement while up a man, but failed to score.
Igor Shesterkin was the star of the first period as he stopped a shorthanded breakaway and stood tall on the Bruins power play chances. The 25 year-old stopped all 7 shots he faced, including 4 on the man-advantage. He was a big reason for keeping the score deadlocked at 0-0.
The Rangers finally got their first goal of the preseason and it came courtesy of a beautiful feed from Artemi Panarin to Anthony Bitetto sneaking in from the right point. That was followed up a Kaapo Kakko goal who showed great hand-eye coordination to stuff in a rebound of a Panarin shot which was set up nicely by Zach Jones for a 2-0 lead.
Unfortunately, Boston would cut it to 2-1 less than two minutes later on a goal by Jack Studnicka. That goal would end Shesterkin’s night who finished with 11 saves on 12 shots for a .917 SV%.
Boston would tie the game on a 4-4 when Urho Vaakanainen absolutely blasted one by Tyler Wall. Then with exactly 60 ticks on the clock, the Breadman’s breakaway goal gave the Rangers a 3-2 lead to close out the second period. K’Andre Miller picked up the only assist on the tally.
In the third period, it was all Rangers for the most part. Although they failed to score on a 5-3 power play, they units continued to move the puck with zip and purpose. Both Zac Jones and K’Andre Miller really looked great manning the points.
The Blueshirts were able to maintain the lead despite having to kill a power play late. Solid defense by the penalty-killers and some solid saves by Tyler Wall made sure of that.
Boston tried a late push with the goalie pulled, but Wall made one big save and the Rangers picked up their first preseason win. The young goalie stopped 15 of 16 in the victory.
Rangers Notables
- The Rangers had 37 hits on the night with the line of Rooney, Reaves, and Blais totaling 13
- Sammy Blais led all Rangers with 8 hits
- Braden Schneider (+1) led all Rangers blue-liners with 7 hits; his 19:30 of TOI was third most
- K’Andre Miller led the Rangers with 22:46 minutes of ice time
- Kaapo Kakko has a team-high +3 rating to go with his 1G and 1A
Tomorrow (Wednesday, Sept. 29): Day off
Next Game: Friday, Oct. 1 at New Jersey Devils (7:00 p.m. ET – TV: MSG Network, MSG Network Plus, NHL Network)
*Schedule subject to change
NHL Rumors
We can all agree that the soap opera that has become the Buffalo Sabres and Jack Eichel would rival some of the great TV classics. Slap an old soap title and it seems to fit. The Young and the Restless, or how about As the World Turns? Try on General Hospital for size, or One Life to Live. These titles seem to apply in one way or another.
One NHL Insider has an idea to help end this. Read more.
