New York, N.Y.— The Rangers fell to the Los Angeles Kings 4-1 on Monday night.
The Rangers looked to build upon their current four-game win streak as “The Breadman,” Artemi Panarin, made his triumphant return to Madison Square Garden after being traded by the Rangers in Februrary for prospect Liam Greentree, signaling the start of the “retool” for NYR.
Over this promising stretch of games for NYR, the line of Alexis Lafrenière, Mika Zibanejad and Gabe Perreault has shined. Lafrenière has played some of the best hockey of his career as of late, earning the NHL’s First Star of the Week with five goals and two assists over the last week.
The Rangers came out of the gate with plenty of speed against a Kings team that has struggled offensively for most of the season. While the Panarin storyline deservedly dominated the headlines, the Russian forward was not the only story of the night. This would mark Anže Kopitar’s final appearance at Madison Square Garden, as the Kings captain is set to retire at the conclusion of the season.
The Rangers had a couple good chances early. About four and a half minutes into the game, Noah Laba had a chance to bury one in close but was robbed by Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper.
With 11:18 remaining in the first period, the Rangers were awarded the first power play of the game as Quinton Byfield went to the box for tripping fellow 2020 NHL lottery draft pick Alexis Lafrenière.
Despite some good opportunities, the Rangers were unsuccessful with the man advantage and the game remained scoreless.
The first goal of the game came with 6:31 remaining in the period when Drew Doughty threw a shot on Igor Shesterkin from just inside the blue line to give Los Angeles a 1-0 lead. The goal was assisted by Artemi Panarin.
After 20 minutes of play, the Los Angeles Kings led the New York Rangers 1-0.
Not much action through the first few minutes of the second period until the Rangers were briefly caught shorthanded with a delayed penalty coming. Before the whistle could stop play, Mikey Anderson scored to give the Kings a 2-0 lead.
The game was quickly going the wrong way for NYR. Soon after, Vincent Trocheck was called for high sticking giving Los Angeles its first official power play of the game.
It did not take long for the Kings to score their third goal of the night as Alex Laferriere batted the puck out of the air to give Los Angeles a 3-0 lead.
With 10:47 remaining, Los Angeles went to its second official power play as Matthew Robertson was called for hooking.
The Kings could not capitalize with the man advantage and the game remained 3-0.
Only two goals were scored in the second period, both by Los Angeles, and the Kings took a 3-0 lead to the final frame.
Just over a minute into the third period, the Rangers went to the power play as Laferriere went to the box for boarding. This was the Rangers’ best chance to get back into the game with almost an entire period of hockey remaining.
NYR was able to convert on the power play as Adam Fox fired a shot on net that was deflected in front by Trocheck to cut the Kings’ lead to two goals.
Trevor Moore sealed the game with an empty net goal, and the Rangers dropped this game to the Kings 4-1.
The Rangers next game will be Wednesday when they take on the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden. Puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m.
