Rangers jolt Lightning, set franchise mark for hottest start
TAMPA, Fla. Things are looking up for the Rangers in the New Year.
Never has there been a more winning Blueshirts team at this point in a season than this one, which picked up its franchise-best 25th victory through 35 games with an assertive 5-1 thrashing of the Lightning on Saturday night at Amalie Arena.
The Rangers have become a team that bounces back from losses with vengeance.
Losing is offensive to this group, and it must always be rectified immediately.
That is how the Rangers go about their business nowadays. That is also one of many promising habits developed under new leadership from head coach Peter Laviolette.
Honestly, we just focus on that, the whole team, the whole organization, said Artemi Panarin, who recorded his second hat trick of the month in yet another performance that should have the star Russian wing leading the Hart Trophy conversation.
Improving to 9-1 after losses and 6-0 in the second game of back-to-back tilts this season, the Rangers will finish 2023 with a record of 53-19-8 and a Stanley Cup drought that will balloon to 30 years once the clock strikes midnight Sunday.
3Artemi Panarin (No. 10), who had a hat trick, celebrates with Igor Shesterkin and his other teammates after the Rangers’ 5-1 win over the Lightning. NHLI via Getty ImagesFrom their body of work so far this season, however, it is clear Lord Stanley could be in reach with a few additional pieces.
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Artemi Panarin’s latest hat trick a reminder of his Hart Trophy credentials
The Rangers came out flying with the vibrations of dueling chants reverberating around the arena. Transitioning up and down the ice in the blink of an eye, the Rangers beat the Lightning to puck after puck.
They were shifty in the offensive zone.
Players without the puck never stopped moving.
Everybody was pushing in one direction, and that was into the back of the Lightnings net.
Plus, Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin was near the top of his game in what became his fifth straight win after an 0-3 stretch.
He played like it was his birthday, Laviolette said of Shesterkin, who finished with 34 saves on his 28th birthday Saturday.
3Artemi Panrin is all smiles after scoring his third goal of the game to complete the hat trick during the third period of the Rangers’ victory. NHLI via Getty ImagesDefending a 2-0 lead at the start of the second period, the Rangers weathered the first real momentum swing for Tampa in the back half of the frame.
Up until that point, the Rangers largely dominated in all three zones and had a firm grip on the game.
When Braden Schneider was penalized for roughing in some extracurricular activities after the whistle, the Lightning made quick work of the power play.
Shesterkin made three dynamic saves before Nikita Kucherov got his team on the board.
That hold on the game, however, still remained with the Rangers.
Less than a minute later, Chris Kreider buried a 2-on-1 feed from Vincent Trocheck to regain the two-goal lead before Panarin notched two more goals to put the game away.
Panarin, Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere set the tone for the Rangers by producing two goals through their first four shifts to give the visitors a 2-0 lead by the 7:36 mark of the first period.
3Igor Shesterkin, who made 34 saves, stops Nicholas Paul’s shot as Ryan Lindgren defends during the third period of the Rangers’ win. NHLI via Getty ImagesThe Lightning nearly cut the Rangers lead in half toward the end of the period when Shesterkin made the initial save on a long shot and was drawn out of position. Michael Eyssimont put in a wraparound as Tanner Jeannot made contact with Shesterkin in the blue crease.
Shesterkin was furious and immediately motioned to the referees. The Rangers challenged for goaltender interference and it was ultimately overturned.
Luck hasnt always been on the Rangers side this season, but hard work has.
The competitive fire that fuels the Rangers has been regularly fanned by Laviolette.
The Rangers will look to make 2024 their year.
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