Returning to The Garden, the stakes were high as the Ottawa Senators and New York Rangers faced off in a wild-card matchup. The Senators, sitting in the first wild-card spot with 52 points, were determined to solidify their playoff position. Working out of being tied for last in the Metropolitan, the Rangers rode an impressive 8-game point streak, aiming to narrow the gap to just two points with a win.
Within the first 5 seconds of the game, Senators captain Brady Tkachuk, set the tone early, laying a hit against Rangers defenseman Will Borgen. After a teased goal scored by Rangers’ Sam Carrick, Ottawa’s coaching staff challenged it for offside and was successful in doing so. Quickly responding with 1:12 left in the first, Alexis Lafrenière tipped the puck in with a play set by defenseman Adam Fox and center Vincent Trocheck. This not only set the Rangers ahead 1-0 but also set this right wing with goals in two straight games.
Continuing this momentum, New York’s Arthur Kaliyev was able to find the back of the net with the help of linemate Urho Vaakanainen and defenseman Braden Schneider. In hopes of continuing his streak, Kaliyev buried the puck, which ultimately got called off yet again for offsides. Shortly after, Ottawa’s Tkachuk received a huge hit from Will Borgen, leading to an interference penalty. During the penalty kill, Igor Shesterkin robbed Tkachuk after making an initial stop, which was followed by a glove save. Despite two additional penalties handed out by the referees, the score remained unchanged, with the period concluding at 2-0.
Moving into the third period, with help from Adam Edström and Sam Carrick, forward Matt Rempe found the net for the first time this season with a clean backhand shot. As the game progressed, tension rose when a big fight broke out, even involving goalie Igor Shesterkin, who got a penalty for leaving his crease.
The Rangers made the most of their power plays, with Artemi Panarin scoring during a 5-on-3 and Will Cuylle adding another goal, assisted by Alexis Lafrenière and K’Andre Miller. Ottawa couldn’t stop the Rangers’ attack, even after killing a late penalty.
The New York Rangers put on a show at Madison Square Garden, shutting out the Ottawa Senators 5-0. Shesterkin was unbreakable, achieving his third shutout of the season. The Rangers’ win keeps their wild-card and playoff hopes alive.
