NHL Roundup: Rangers Jump Penguins for 2nd Place in Metro
RANGERS 3 – PENGUINS 2
As the calendar is inching closer to the month of April, the New York Rangers earned a huge win on the road, Tuesday night, beating back their rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2. With 15 games remaining in the season, the victory put the Rangers one-point ahead of Pittsburgh for second in the Metro Division. New York is still five points behind Carolina for the division title and higher seed in the playoffs.
On Tuesday Igor Shesterkin was again masterful in front of the net, recording 22 saves on 24 shots. Meanwhile three different Rangers scored for New York in the win.
With Pittsburgh up 1-0 in the second period, Frank Vatrano tied the game on a slap shot from the circle that slipped past two Penguin defenders and the outstretched glove Tristan Jarry. Four minutes later, the Rangers took the lead on Brian Schneider’s goal to make it 2-1. Chris Krieder tallied his 45th goal of the year on a power play early in the third period.
Meanwhile the Islanders remain hot after a 4-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Isles improve to 29-27-9. Even though it is unlikely that the Islanders make the playoffs this season, that hasn’t stopped a team that is getting heathier by the game.
In Columbus, the Islanders netted four consecutive goals to take a 4-1 lead in the middle of the second period. Brock Nelson got things rolling with his 32nd goal of the season 11;47 into the game. A few minutes later, Josh Bailey join the fun with eighth goal of the season.
Come the second period, Anthony Beauviller netted his 11th goal of the season for Blue Shirts. Finally veteran Zach Parise sored for the 11th time this year to increase the lead to 4-1.