Strome Joins Two 100 Clubs as the Rangers Stay Hot Against the Capitals in a 4-1 Road Victory

The New York Rangers started of the day with the bad news that second year forward Kappo Kakko would be out for todays game due to Covid-19 Protocols. This was a blessing in disguise. Coach David Quinn was forced to assemble new line configurations. He placed Artemi Panarin with the struggling Mika Zibenijad and Alexis Lafreniere. The Rangers started off on a high note in the 1st period with a Chris Kreider power play goal off a rebounded shot from Panarin. Center Ryan Strome tallied a secondary assist which was his 100th point as a Ranger. With this assist, he became the first player in NHL history to tally 100 points as a Ranger and an Islander. The 2nd period was the best period for the Rangers today. An Alexis Lafreniere goal was the start to get the rangers up 2-0 . Panarin delivered a beautiful pass in from of the net which Lafreniere took, made a quick move and the buried it in the back of the net. This goal was a great example of how Panarin makes everyone around him better. Panarin drew the attention of the defender leaving Lafreniere wide open in front of the net. Not even a minute later, Strome buried a shot from the point to make it 3-0. This was Strome’s 100th career goal in the NHL. These 3 goals were huge confidence boosters for all 3 players. Kreider, Lafreniere and Strome were 3 of the rangers who have been off to very slow starts. The Rangers looked almost perfect until they let a goal through with 40 seconds left in the period. This was the only bad play we saw all gave from goalie Igor Shesterkin. Shesterkin tallied 26 saves on 27 shots. Barring a few power plays, the 3rd period didn’t have much action until Mika Zibenijad buried an empty netter to put the Rangers up 4-1. The goal wasn’t a normal empty netter as he was hit down around the blue line. Zibenijad has been in the biggest slump out of all the Rangers. Hopefully this goal gets him going because he was a key piece to the Rangers success last year. The Rangers must wait until Wednesday before they play their next game vs. the Philadelphia Flyers. By then, Kappo Kakko should be back. Rangers fans are questioning what Coach Quinn is going to do with the lines. Will he keep the line of Panarin – ZIbenijad – Kakko, or will he return Lafreniere to hot line of Kakko – Strome – Lafreniere.