Panarin Hat Trick Powers Rangers to 5-1 Win Over Tampa
The New York Rangers ended 2023 on a high note propelled by an Artemiy Panarin hat trick against the Tampa Bay Lightning. In the process he also became the 2nd Ranger to record 100 points or more in multiple calendar years.
Birthday boy Igor Shesterkin was spectacular too, and finished the evening with 34 saves on 35 shots faced.
Vincent Trocheck also had a big night with a goal and three assists, and him and Panarin’s line mate Alexis Lafrenière added two assists as well. Chris Kreider also scored for the Blueshirts, and Blake Wheeler ended a strong December with an assist and his 9th point overall in 14 games.
Mika Zibanejad picked up an assist on Panarin’s final goal of the game, and in the process extended his point streak to 10 games.
The effort against Tampa Bay was stronger than what the team showed on Friday against the Florida Panthers, and the team is now 9-1-0 in games following a loss. Friday’s game is one that the Rangers still had a chance to win, and they more and made up for that missed opportunity against the Lightning.
The Rangers’ win was their 24th of the season, and they end the year by becoming the first team in the NHL to hit the 50-point plateau. It’s been a very incredible start to the season for the Rangers, and hard to believe that they remain in single digits for regulation losses.
Overall, 2023 was a strong year. Here’s how the Rangers stacked up via the team’s PR account.
The Rangers are off until Tuesday, January 2nd, and they will return to action against the Carolina Hurricanes at 7:00 p.m. live at Madison Square Garden.
