Rangers Dominate Lightning with 7-Goal Victory Away
The New York Rangers showcased their offensive prowess with a commanding 7-3 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday at Benchmark International Arena. This win marked a significant improvement over their previous game, where they scored six goals at home. The Rangers now hold an impressive road record of 8-1-1, the best in the NHL.
Key Performers
- Vincent Trocheck: Scored two goals.
- Will Cuylle: Scored twice and leads the team with six goals.
- Artemi Panarin: Provided four assists, elevating his season total to 16 points.
- Igor Shesterkin: Made 33 saves, including 26 in the final two periods.
Game Highlights
The first period was action-packed, with seven goals scored in just 18 shots. The Rangers took an early lead and maintained it throughout the game.
First Period Breakdown
- 1:09 – Cuylle scores, giving the Rangers a 1-0 lead.
- 3:31 – J.T. Miller extends the lead to 2-0.
- 6:04 – Scott Sabourin scores for the Lightning, cutting the lead to 2-1.
- 13:59 – Zemgus Girgensons makes it 3-2 Rangers.
- 16:20 – Will Borgen restores the two-goal advantage at 4-2.
- 17:32 – Jake Guentzel scores a short-handed goal for Tampa Bay.
Subsequent Periods
While the second period saw a slowdown in scoring, Trocheck capitalized on a mishap from Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, scoring towards the end.
- 18:19 – Trocheck scores, bringing the score to 5-3.
- 5:03 (Third Period) – Trocheck scores again, extending the lead to 6-3.
- 2:11 – Cuylle seals the game with an empty-net goal, final score 7-3.
Challenges for Tampa Bay
The Lightning faced difficulties without key players like Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh due to injuries. Their struggles were evident as they allowed goals on the first three shots faced by Vasilevskiy.
Looking Ahead
The Rangers will aim to continue their successful run as they face the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. Fans will be eager to see if the team can maintain their offensive momentum and solid road performance.
