The New York Rangers continue their strong start to the season, as Jimmy Vesey and Artemi Panarin each scored two goals to lead the team to a 5-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night. This victory extends the Rangers’ point streak to 11 games.
Rangers’ Winning Streak
The Rangers (12-2-1) have won four consecutive games and are now 10-0-1 in their last 11, marking their longest point streak since a 13-game run in 2015. Their 12 wins in the first 15 games set a new franchise record.
“I know that it’s not always 60 minutes of domination, but no game ever is,” said new coach Peter Laviolette. “I liked how we’ve been attacking teams at the start and fought back in the third periods. Guys are working hard to win.”
Panarin’s Record Performance
Panarin set a Rangers record with a 15-game season-opening point streak, the longest of his career. His first-period power-play goal broke the previous record he shared with Rod Gilbert. Panarin’s second goal tied the game 3-3 midway through the third period.
Vesey’s Game-Winner
Vesey scored the go-ahead goal with 2:49 left, backhanding the rebound of Tyler Pitlick’s shot into an open net. Blake Wheeler sealed the victory with an empty-net goal, and Vincent Trocheck had three assists in this first meeting between the Hudson River rivals since New Jersey eliminated New York in the playoffs last spring.
“I thought it was a high-octane, entertaining game and pretty even, but we just made one more play than them in the end,” Vesey said. He scored his second and third goals of the season playing on the fourth line.
Shesterkin’s Return
Igor Shesterkin made 30 saves after missing four games with an undisclosed injury.
Devils’ Struggles
Jack Hughes returned to the New Jersey lineup after missing five games with an upper-body injury, scoring once and setting up a go-ahead goal by Erik Haula to give the Devils a 3-2 lead early in the third.
“I think this was a game good hockey teams win,” Hughes said. “We’re in a bit of a rough stretch right now. That’s a game good teams win. We need to sharpen up, from our top players to the bottom.”
Ondrej Palat scored for New Jersey, and Vitek Vanecek made 30 saves.
Key Moments
Panarin tied the game 3-3 with a quick shot from the right circle off a faceoff. Vesey then scored the game-winner after Shesterkin stopped Jesper Bratt in close.
Panarin has 10 multi-point games this season, becoming the first Rangers player with five consecutive multi-point games since Jaromir Jagr 17 years ago. His 15-game point streak is the longest for the Rangers since Wayne Gretzky in 1996-97.
First Period Action
The Rangers twice took one-goal leads in the first period, only for the Devils to tie it each time. Panarin scored on the power play, followed by Hughes answering less than a minute later. Vesey scored on a rebound, but Palat tied it at 2 with a power-play goal late in the period.
Upcoming Games
- Rangers: Continue their four-game trip on Monday at Dallas.
- Devils: Play at Detroit on Tuesday.
