The New York Rangers returned to winning ways Sunday with a 5-3 win over the Florida Panthers at the FLA Live Arena.
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The New York team have been struggling in recent weeks after suffering three losses in four games before the game of the day.
Artemi Panarin confirmed the win midway through the third period to give the team a two-goal lead. The latter, without warning, fired a shot that surprised opposing goalkeeper Sergei Bobrovsky.
That net chilled the Florida supporters who had just celebrated Eric Staal’s goal.
Mika Zibanejad started 2023 on the right foot. In the first two thirds, the Swede flashed twice over the red light without success.
Chris Kreider and Vincent Trocheck completed the scoring for the winners. The lines were from Nick Cousins and Sam Bennett.
Alexis Lafrenière returns to his post
It was Alexis Lafreniere’s return to the lineup after being left out in the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He didn’t get a point and played 11 min 48 s. He ended the duel with a shot into the net and a difference of -1.
“Maybe he’s saying it’s a warning shot, or he’s interpreting it differently,” Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant slipped onto Bettman’s circuit before the game.
“I just said I didn’t like the way he played the last game. The three or four games before that he hadn’t been particularly good either. He played right, but no more. Sometimes it’s just to be more focused and play better.”
The Quebecer hasn’t scored a single goal and provided four assists in his last eight games. He has 17 points, including five goals, in 36 games this season.