Rangers got revenge at Boston, 4-0, on Saturday afternoon.
K’Andre Miller started the scoring with his second goal of season. Chris Kreider scored in the second period. Ryan Strome patted the lead from a cross ice feed from Panarin. Buchnevich sealed the game.
Keith Kinkaid faced only 18 shots on goal in his first Ranger shutout.
“It feels good to get (a shutout) three years later,” Kinkaid said. “I just think the way we played today is the way we need to play going forward. We didn’t give them much.
Mika Zibanejad tallied two assists and talked about the importance of Panarin’s return.
“It was definitely huge for us getting him back,” said Zibanejad. “Not only just for the game but around the locker room and around the guys again.
David Quinn reaffirmed Zibanejad’s sentiment.
“Having him back does so many things not only on the ice, but just mentally, our guys certainly hold him in high esteem,” Quinn said. “He’s a well-liked teammate, he’s a great teammate. Our guys were dying for him to come back for a lot of reasons.
“You put him in our lineup and all of a sudden you’ve got a little more swagger.”
Blueshirts need to take the urgency from this win and start a winning streak. Philadelphia and Washington are ahead in the standings. The season marks the halfway point on Wednesday. The team should get Shesterkin back this week and be at full health.
Rangers host Philadelphia on Monday night at 7pm.
