Lafreniere, Rangers beat Capitals

WASHINGTON — Alexis Lafreniere got a chance to play on the New York Rangers’ top line with Mika Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin, and the result was one of the team’s most complete efforts of the season. Lafreniere scored his second NHL goal, Panarin had two assists and the Rangers made the best of a new-look lineup, beating the Washington Capitals 4-1 Saturday for their second consecutive victory.

“We felt great today, had many chances,” Panarin said through an interpreter. “Obviously we felt it today, and it was great to see Alexis score.”

Lafreniere, the top pick in the 2020 draft, cashed in on his promotion by scoring for the first time in eight games. Panarin set up Lafreniere on the doorstep late in the second period, and his shot provided the rebound for Chris Kreider’s power-play goal in the first.

“Goal-scorers thrive off confidence, and usually when one goes in it starts a little bit of a snowball effect, so we certainly hope that happens for Alexis,” coach David Quinn said. “He continues to improve, come to the rink with a great attitude and work hard, and as long as he continues to do that, good things are going to happen for him.”

With a goal and an assist, Ryan Strome made history as the first player to record 100 points apiece with the Rangers and Islanders. The fifth overall pick of the Islanders in 2011, Strome never saw himself hitting this particular milestone.

“Not the way I thought it would have played out,” Strome said. “I think my time here has been pretty good, and I got to 100 a lot quicker than I did with the Islanders.“

Igor Shesterkin made 27 saves, Mika Zibanejad sealed it with an emptynetter with 2:12 left and New York strung together back-to-back wins for just the second time this season.

Zibanejad’s goal was just his second since last season after scoring 41 in 57 games in 2019-20. Like with Lafreniere, seeing the puck go in the net could have a domino effect for Zibanejad.

“If you look at his reaction, you sensed relief,” Quinn said. “It’s not going to happen overnight. He’s not going to go from where he is to where he was last year. We just need to continue to see progress and thought that was another step in the right direction.”