N.Y. Rangers: Blueshirt Forwards March on Capitals

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

SATURDAY

RANGERS   4

CAPITALS   1

FINAL

Adam Fox didn't have to everything himself.  He was limited to one shot on goal, while the blueliners accounted for seven of the Rangers' 24 total shots on net against Washington goalie Vitek Vanecek.

The Rangers' top forwards not named Panarin actually showed up to play some hockey Saturday in the nation's capital.  They accounted for the balance of 17 shots on goal.  At 14:57 of the first, Chris Kreider netted his fifth goal of the season on Artemi Panarin's and Ryan Strome's assists.  With time winding down in the second, Artemi Panarin fed Alexis Lafreniere, who deeked Washington goalie Vitek Vanecek with a sweet backhand for a 2-0 Rangers lead.  The Caps then committed one of the cardinal sins in hockey, yielding a goal from Ryan Strome with 1:17 left in the period.  But the Rangers were equally careless.  Dmitry Orlav scored with just 0:39 left in the period making it a 3-1 game.  Mika Zibanejad capped off the scoring with an empty-netter with just over two minutes left in the third for a 4-1 final margin of victory.

Kreider's goal ties him for the team lead with five, with Ryan Strome and Artemi Panarin.  For a time, Coach Quinn joined Mika Zibanejad, Alexis Lafreniere, and Artemi Panarin on the first line together, and it paid off for the teenager who registered only his second goal of the season and his first in February.  Artemi Panarin, with two assists in the game, now has 13 for the season and 18 points through his first 14 games.  The beleaguered Mika Zibanejad scored a goal for the first time since Jan. 19 against the Devils, giving him just four points through 16 games.  Pavel Buchnevich assisted on two goals giving him twelve points, second-most on the team, through 16 games.  Ryan Strome was the third Rangers forward to register two points in the game.  In a slight improvement over recent games, the Rangers centermen accounted for seven shots, a goal, and three points.

Brendan Lemieux saw some time on special teams bringing him up to 11:47 minutes of ice time, two more minutes than last game.  More ice time, please.

In light of Jacob Trouba's injury, there were no Jack Johnson sightings to the fan's delight.  Thankfully K'Andre Miller returned to action.  Adam Fox was called upon for 24:20 minutes.  Brendan Smith held his ground in 18:47 minutes and 26 shifts, and there were no issues with the third pairing of Anthony Bitetto and Libor Hajek.  I know Nils Lundqvist is lurking in the background, and there are even more blueliners on the way after him.

But that's for next year ...