On Monday, January 13 the New York Rangers received a 6-2 victory against the New York Islanders at Madison Square Garden. Fans were waiting all year for this match-up. This was a huge game for Artemi Panarin as he scored two goals and received three assists WHICH gave him his second career five-point game. Alexandar Georgiev started in the net for the Rangers after he sat out in recent games.

First Period

Early on in the first period, it looked like bad news for the Rangers. Only 18 seconds into regulation, Jordan Eberle gave the Islanders a 1-0 lead. The Rangers attempted to clear the puck but failed, and unfortunately could not gain control before it ended up in their net. Even though the Islanders took the early lead, the Rangers did not let this effect the rest of their game. Jesper Fast tied the teams eight minutes later after desperately fighting for position in front of the net. Fast was able to hit the puck in and as a result scored the opening goal.

Second Period

In the second period, the Rangers continued putting in maximum effort. Chris Kreider gave them a 2-1 lead on a deflection off of Panarin’s shot from the point. The officials reviewed the play for a high stick, but after discussing, it was confirmed the puck passed the goal line. Six minutes after Krieders goal, Adam Fox makes an unpredictable wrist shot from the side of the net and sneaks it through. This gives the Rangers a 3-1 lead and ends the period leaving fans happy at the Garden.

Third Period

Only 48 seconds into the third period after a turnover, Artemi Panarin skated on a breakaway and gets an easy backhand goal to give the Rangers a 4-1 lead. That wasn’t final for Panarin’s awesome night. He put another one in the net not too long after that. Ryan Strome saw that Panarin was open for a pass. With no help or difficulties, he skates in alone and snaps it through the legs of Semyon Varlamov and allowed the Rangers to take a 5-1 lead. Later in the period, they were put on a two-minute power play.

Following their face-off win, Adam Fox set up a perfect one-timer opportunity for Jacob Trouba. He shoots from the point and scores making this a 6-1 game for the Rangers. The entire building was ecstatic. Trouba’s goal took Varlamov out of net for the night. He was replaced with Thomas Greiss to finish the remainder of the period. Late in the third, the Islanders were handed a power play. Brock Nelson stood directly beside the goal waiting patiently for his chance. After Jordan Eberle’s shot was deflected, Nelson batted the puck into the net from mid-air. A power play goal made it a 6-2 game, but this win belonged to the Rangers when the timer ran out.

A rematch will occur on Thursday, January 16. The Islanders will play at home at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.