NHL Scores: Artemi Panarin sparks Rangers, Jets power past Maple Leafs, Alex Ovechkin scores 716, and more
Anthony Scultore
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Artemi Panarin missed 9 games over the last few weeks. It was not due to injury but false allegations made by his former KHL coach that sent the happy-go-lucky Ranger home to deal with the fallout.
NHL Scores: Panarin sparks Rangers, Alex Ovechkin scores #716
The Rangers (11-12-3) snapped a miserable three game losing streak which put them two games below .500 after spending most of the season trying to get above it. It was a night and day difference for the Rangers as they dominated the Bruins (14-7-4) from the drop of the puck and gave Keith Kinkaid an easy 17 save shutout., It was his first win since 2019 and first goose egg since 2018.
Panarin was a force all game and even picked up a beautiful assist on a Ryan Strome goal in the third period. He didn’t look like he missed a step. The 4-0 final was a flattering score for the boys from Boston.
“Having him back does so many things not only on the ice, but just mentally,” Rangers coach David Quinn said. “I think our guys certainly hold him in high esteem. He’s a well-liked teammate. He’s a great teammate. Our guys were dying for him to come back for a lot of reasons. You put him in our lineup and all of a sudden we’ve got a little more swagger.”
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Alex Ovechkin doesn’t want to be counted out of the All Time Goal Leaders race just yet. The 35 year-old certainly hasn’t been lighting up goalies as usual but he scored his 10th goal of the season and #716 for his career. The Great 8 needs one more tally to tie Phil Esposito for sixth on the list.
The goal was certainly big but the Capitals (17-6-4) 5-4 win over the Flyers (13-9-3) was bigger. Washington stays two points behind the first place Islanders (18-6-4) who beat the Devils (8-13-3) 3-2 last night for their 8th straight win.
Finally the Penguins (17-9-1) shutout the beleaguered Sabres (6-16-4) by a 3-0 score. Buffalo is without Jack Eichel who may be done for the season. Not sure it would matter with him in the lineup as the Sabres look like they may struggle to beat a team in the AHL right now. Casey DeSmith’s 24 save shutout was Buffalo’s 10th straight loss.
NHL News: Jets soar past Maple Leafs late, Flames and Canucks win
It was a 2-2 game between the Jets (17-8-2) and the Maple Leafs (19-8-2) in third period before Winnipeg on the strength of two power play goals defeated Toronto 5-2. Nikolaj Ehlers scored his 14th of the season and now has 29 points in 27 games.
Sean Monahan scored twice as the Flames (13-12-3) downed the Canadiens (12-8-7) by a 3-1 score. It was a huge win for Calgary as they are now two points behind Montreal for the final playoff berth in the North Division. And the Canucks (13-16-2) on the strength of Thatcher Demko’s 34 save performance beat the high flying Oilers (18-12) 2-1.
NHL News: Blue Jackets snap skid, Central division race for first tightens
Max Domi who is in the NHL Rumor mill again opened the scoring and Zach Werenski won it in OT for Columbus. The 4-3 Blue Jackets (11-12-6) win over the Stars (8-9-6) gave John Tortorella his first win in four games and reasserts his squad back into the playoff mix. That’s due to the Panthers (18-5-4) who beat the Blackhawks (14-10-5) by a 4-2 score thanks to Aleksander Barkov’s two goal performance.
The Lightning (19-5-2) got back to their winning ways by trouncing the Predators (11-16-1) 6-3. Six different goal scorers lit up Nashville with Brayden Point getting his 10th on the year. Florida and Tampa Bay are tied for first with 40 points with Carolina at 39. The Hurricanes were not in action last night.
NHL News: Mark Stone keeps Golden Knights at top of West
The Golden Knights (18-6-1) enjoyed a 5-1 win over the Blues (14-9-5). Mark Stone led the offensive charge with two goals (8,9). For Vegas it was a six game road trip that ended on a high note.
“Four-and-two on a long, grueling road trip, a couple back-to-backs,” Stone said. “Mostly we didn’t like the way we played in Minnesota, [but] there were key points in the game [tonight] and I think we kind of won all those key matchups at critical times.”
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Lastly, Evander Kane notched his 11th and is on a three game goal scoring streak. The Sharks (11-11-3) swept the Ducks (8-15-6) with a 3-1 to close out the action for Saturday.