Despite facing a desperate opponent, the New York Rangers stuck to their winning formula to advance in the NHL playoffs.
Key Moments and Performances
Artemi Panarin scored the decisive power-play goal early in the third period, and Igor Shesterkin made 23 saves as the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Rangers swept the Washington Capitals with a 4-2 victory in Game 4 on Sunday night, moving on to the second round.
Consistent Success
“The things that we’ve done in the regular season over 82 games is something that we continue to do,” said center Mika Zibanejad. “We’ve been building toward this, and I still think we can be better, but a great, hard-fought series, and it’s nice (to get) a win.”
Sealing the Series
Trade deadline acquisition Jack Roslovic secured the win with an empty-netter with 51 seconds remaining. The Rangers will face either the Carolina Hurricanes or the New York Islanders in the next round. Carolina leads their series 3-1.
“We have a few extra days for rest, and it’s always good,” Shesterkin said. “That’s more time for practice, building our confidence, and seeing who we will play against next round.”
Panarin’s Pivotal Goal
Panarin’s goal with 16:39 left in regulation, just 11 seconds after T.J. Oshie was penalized for high-sticking Vincent Trocheck, ensured the Rangers avoided overtime or a return to Madison Square Garden for Game 5. They became the first team to advance this postseason.
“We’re happy,” Panarin said. “We’ll keep going. I can’t say we played bad. We played good, but I think we can play better.”
Trocheck’s Dominance
Trocheck, a standout throughout the series, scored on the power play and thwarted a scoring chance by Alex Ovechkin, who was held scoreless through the series for the first time in his 15 playoff appearances.
“I don’t know,” Ovechkin said after registering five shots in four games. “I try to find a different way to put the puck in.”
Shesterkin’s Stellar Play
Shesterkin’s performance, which included crucial saves against Dylan Strome and Tom Wilson, drew chants of “Igor! Igor!” from the Rangers fans in attendance.
“I thought he was excellent,” coach Peter Laviolette said. “When the game hangs in the balance, he still comes across and makes a huge save.”
Contributions Across the Board
Kakko’s goal in the first minute, following a turnover by Nick Jensen, made him the 10th Ranger to score in the series, highlighting the team’s depth. Kakko’s goal also came after a challenging regular season, potentially boosting his confidence.
Capitals’ Effort and Future
Young players Martin Fehervary and Hendrix Lapierre scored for Washington, but the team was visibly exhausted despite their efforts and Charlie Lindgren’s 19 saves on 22 shots.
“This team just never gave up,” Strome said. “This team fought for every inch, and we fought. We put our lives on the line in this series and obviously came up short. They’re a great team.”
Looking Ahead
- Rangers: Await the winner of the Hurricanes-Islanders series, with the next round likely starting after Thursday.
- Capitals: Face an offseason of change, including questions about the future of winger T.J. Oshie and others.
