In New York, Vincent Trocheck scored a double in the second period to give the Rangers a 3-0 lead over the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday evening.
“It was a big one for us just because of the last few games, the way they’ve been going. We kind of went on a little bit of a slide there, and needed to make sure we’re bringing it back,” Trocheck said.
Alexis Lafreniere scored in the first period to give the Rangers an early 1-0 advantage.
In a game the Rangers were desperate for a win, it seemed everyone on the bench found their game.
Igor Shesterkin made 25 saves in a win where he rediscovered his game.
Shesterkin had been pulled the Rangers’ 6-3 loss on Saturday.
LA got one back in the second period on a goal from Viktor Arvidsson on the power play, the goal came on a near high stick swing at the pick.
“It was just a couple tough bounces really,” Los Angeles captain Anze Kopitar said. “I think there’s not a whole lot of stuff that we didn’t like in the first period or in the second. Obviously sometimes bounces don’t go your way. We realize you’ve got to play for your bounces too, and tonight it didn’t go for us.”
The Kings dropped to 33-20-8, and are 1-2-1 on a five-game roadie.
“I thought we were five or six players shy of having an opportunity to win. And I’m not talking about the goaltender,” Los Angeles coach Todd McLellan said.
The Rangers gave up an odd-man rush in the early third period, and Matt Roy. buried the shot to get the Kings within 3-2.
Artemi Panarin gave the Rangers some breathing room at 2:11 of the third when he picked up his own rebound to make the score 4-2.
“Whenever you get up, give yourself the momentum, you don’t have to worry about digging yourself out of a hole like we’ve been doing a little bit lately,” Trocheck said. “So to get out to a lead early was big for us.”
Mika Zibanejad scored at 5:25 of the third on a power play to give the Rangers the 5-2 final.
“It’s an adrenaline rush whenever you see him go down. Obviously you don’t want your star player going down, especially this late in the season, so him coming back in the third was definitely a relief,” Trocheck said.
Zibanejad had been helped off the ice in the middle frame after being hit on the ankle by a shot, he started and finished the third period.
Jonathan Quick got the start for the Kings but was given the hook in the middle frame after Trocheck’s double; he made four saves at that point.
Pheonix Copley made 13 saves, and surrendered two goals in a mop up role.
You must be logged in to post a comment.