The NHL is edging ever closer towards the end of the regular season, but with vital points up for grabs on Monday evening, which teams were able to seize their chance? The New York Rangers welcomed their local rivals New York Islanders, while the Washington Capitals, who are the current favourites in the betting hosted the Carolina Hurricanes. The reigning Stanley Cup champions were also in action as they hosted the Anaheim Ducks.
Rangers Win Big Against Neighbours
The New York Rangers have been far too inconsistent this season, and that was on full display again last night. They got over their defeat against the St Louis Blues by producing one of their very best performances of the season against the New York Islanders.
Both sides scored once in the opening period before the Rangers began to press home their dominance in the second and third. The Rangers scored twice in the second period, and three times in the final period. The Islanders couldn’t respond, which meant they were on the wrong side of a 6-2 defeat.
Artemi Panarin scored twice in the win for the Rangers, while there were further goals from Jesper Fast, Adam Fox, Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba. The Rangers also got 34 saves from Alexander Georgiyev. Jordan Eberle and Brock Nelson scored the goals for the Islanders, while Semyon Varlamov made 35 saves before being replaced by Thomas Greiss in relief.
Blues Continue Winning Streak In NHL
The reigning Stanley Cup champions continued with their excellent recent form by making it four wins on the bounce against the Anaheim Ducks. The leading side in the Central Division were in excellent form throughout and never looked like getting caught once they got their noses in front.
The two teams were level at 1-1 after the opening period, before the Blues scored twice in the second and once in the third to wrap up a comfortable 4-1 success. They have now won four more games than any other side in the Central Division. Ivan Barbashev, Tyler Bozak, Jaden Schwartz and Alexander Steen scored the goals for the Blues, while they got 28 saves from Jake Allen.
The only goals of the game for the Ducks were scored by Max Comtois. John Gibson made 34 saves in the defeat for Anaheim. The Blues are back in action on Wednesday evening when they take on the Philadelphia Flyers.
Capitals Win, Bruins Defeated
The NHL Metropolitan Conference-leading Washington Capitals bounced back from successive defeats on Monday evening as they were able to overcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Alexander Ovechkin scored the only goals in the 2-0 win. Both of the goals were also scored in the opening period, but the Capitals never looked like squandering their lead.
It wasn’t such a good evening for the Atlantic leading side, as the Boston Bruins surrendered their lead in the final period, before being defeated in a shootout. The Bruins led after the opening period. The second period was captivating as both sides scored three times before the Philadelphia Flyers got their equaliser in the final period.
Travis Sanheim scored twice for the winning Flyers, while Sean Couturier, Connor Bunnaman and Kevin Hayes also scored. The Bruins can get back to winning ways when they take on the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday.
