The Florida Panthers proved once again why they are considered the team to beat in the East as they handed the New York Rangers a 4-2 loss in a spirited matchup on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers, who entered the game just two points and one win behind the Panthers in the standings, were unable to meet the challenge presented by their opponents.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams displaying an aggressive style of play. Hits were hard and came in abundance from the beginning, with even star player Artemi Panarin throwing his body around and looking to finish his checks. The physicality of the game set the tone for what would be an intense battle between two talented teams.
The scoreboard read 2-2 at the start of the final period, which turned out to be the only period played entirely at five-on-five. The Panthers had pieced together several dangerous scoring chances off the rush throughout the night, but it wasn’t until the 6:11 mark of the third period that they were able to convert. Ryan Lomberg flung a long wrist shot that caught Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin off guard and gave the Panthers the lead.
Shesterkin had been solid up until that point, making 25 saves throughout the game. However, the game-winning shot seemed to catch him off guard, resulting in a goal for the Panthers. Despite his efforts, Shesterkin was unable to prevent the Rangers from suffering their second consecutive loss.
Special teams played a significant role in the game, with a bulk of the action occurring during power plays. In fact, the Rangers’ first goal came on a power play when Will Cuylle jammed in a rebound to give his team a 1-0 lead. However, it was Sam Reinhart who stole the show for the Panthers, scoring two goals on their power play to give them a one-goal lead by the midway point of the second period.
The loss to the Panthers comes as the Rangers have been facing several benchmark opponents in recent weeks. Just a month ago, they suffered another loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, who also showcased their strength and provided the Rangers with a glimpse of what they’ll be up against in the playoffs.
While the loss to the Panthers is undoubtedly disappointing for the Rangers, it serves as a valuable learning experience. The game highlighted areas where the team needs to improve and gave them a taste of the competition they can expect in the playoffs. The Panthers’ spirited challenge proved why they are considered the team to beat in the East, but the Rangers will use this loss as motivation to come back stronger in their future matchups.
