In New York, the Rangers gave up the first goal of the game to Ottawa Senators, and then reeled off five unanswered strikes in a 5-1 win on Saturday.
The win punched the Rangers ticket to the first “normal” post season since 2017
Artemi Panarin hit for a goal and three points in the win, he has 88 points so far this season.
Igor Shesterkin made 21 saves in the Rangers win.
New York improved to 47-20-6, for 100 points and a first place tie with the Carolina Hurricanes in the Metropolitan Division.
Austin Watson staked the Senators to the early 1-0 lead.
“We knew on the way in there was going to be some tough nights and tonight was one of them for sure,” Senators coach D.J. Smith said. “There was just not enough of what we usually have, which is our track, our compete, all those things. They beat us to all the loose pucks. They were the better team wire to wire.”
Panarin tied it before the end of the opening period.
“We kind of did hope that it would happen today, but we’re not going to wish on it so not to jinx it,” Panarin said. “Obviously, the whole team is just rooting for him. We’re waiting.”
New York scored three times in the middle frame.
“From start to finish it was an excellent game, I liked everything about it,” Rangers coach Gerard Gallant said. “Sometimes it doesn’t matter how you get in the playoffs, but it was nice we came to the rink wanting to win and get in the playoffs. That’s what we did.”
Andrew Copp put the Rangers up, 2-1, early in the period.
Chris Kreider scored the first of his two goals on the night to push the lead to 3-1.
“We have Carolina next, right,” Kreider said. “Tonight, enjoy it a little bit, be proud of ourselves, but we want home ice. Keep pushing, keep climbing.”
Ryan Strome finished the outburst with a goal and a 4-1 lead to the Rangers.
“You look at our roster, you’ve got some of the best players in the world, some young talent, a little bit of everything, probably the best goalie in the world,” Strome said. “I mean, it’s time, and we took that first step. You don’t want to get too high on this emotion, but especially the way the last few years have gone it’s a good feeling tonight.”
Kreider scored his second in the third period.
He now has 49 goals on the season.
“That’s the loudest building we’ve had this year on a Saturday night and their team rewarded them for that,” Smith said. “We didn’t have a lot going tonight and they did.”
Anton Forsberg made 28 saves in the Sens loss.
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