TOUCHDOWN!
Rangers blitz Predators with seven-goal outburst
Defenseman K’Andre Miller notched two goals and two assists in the Rangers’ six-goal first period, Jaroslav Halak stopped 22 shots for his first shutout of the season, and the Rangers beat the Nashville Predators, 7-0, on Sunday night.
Artemi Panarin scored a goal to go along with two assists in the opening period, and Filip Chytil,
Mika Zibenejad, Tyler Motte and
Chris Kreider also scored to help the Rangers cruise to their fourth straight home win and second shutout in two days. The Rangers beat Pittsburgh, 6-0, on Saturday night after also beating the Penguins on Thursday and Washington on Tuesday.
The Rangers scored six times on their first eight shots, chasing Nashville starting goalie Kevin Lankinen after he gave up four goals on five shots. He was replaced by Juuse Saros.
Miller became the first defenseman in franchise history with four points in a single period as the Rangers led, 6-0, less than 14 minutes in. The avalanche of early goals tied the franchise record for most in the first period, most recently achieved on Dec. 15, 1999, in an 8-3 home victory over Los Angeles.
Halak improved to 8-2-2 in his last 12 starts as the 37-year-old goalie recorded his 53rd career shutout.
The Predators were coming off a deflating home overtime loss to Winnipeg on Saturday and were dealing with a raft of injuries to key players. Nashville was without captain and leading scorer Roman Josi — hurt against the Jets — plus defenseman Ryan McDonagh and top forwards Filip Forsberg and Ryan Johansen.
Chytil opened the scoring with his 20th goal at 2:37 — assisted by Miller and Halak — followed by Zibanejad’s team-leading 37th at 7:22. Motte scored his fifth goal 52 seconds later before Miller scored at 9:09 to make it 4-0, ending Lankinen’s night.
Panarin then added his 23rd goal at 10:01 before Miller scored again, his eighth of the season with 6:24 remaining in the period.
Panarin, with points in nine of his last 11 games (five goals and 10 assists), leads the Rangers with 80 points overall.
Zibanejad, who notched a goal and two assists in Saturday’s rout of the Penguins, also assisted on Panarin’s goal and has nine points in his last four games.