Panarin Gets Hat Trick in Rangers Win Against Lightning
Artemi Panarin leads the New York Rangers to victory with a hat trick against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Panarin's Hat Trick Propels Rangers
Artemi Panarin had a hat trick for the New York Rangers in a 5-1 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on Saturday. Vincent Trocheck had a goal and three assists, and Alexis Lafrenière had two assists for the Rangers (25-9-1), who were coming off a 4-3 loss at the Florida Panthers on Friday but are 6-2-0 in their past eight. Igor Shesterkin made 34 saves.
Nikita Kucherov scored for the Lightning (17-15-5), who have lost two in a row after winning three straight prior to the holiday break. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 16 saves.
Panarin and Trocheck Dominate
Panarin gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead at 1:51 of the first period. He finished a cross-slot pass from Trocheck on a 2-on-0 after Victor Hedman fell down while trying to swat the puck away at Tampa Bay's blue line. Trocheck extended the lead to 2-0 at 7:36 of the first when he jammed in a rebound past Vasilevskiy's right pad.
"It seems like he somehow continues to get better, and he's taking more and more steps forward, which is kind of crazy to think," Trocheck said of Panarin. "He's obviously an outstanding hockey player, one of the best of the League. His scoring this year is up and he's shooting a little bit more. He's fun to play with."
Kucherov's Goal Not Enough for Lightning
Kucherov cut it to 2-1 with a power-play goal at 17:39 of the second period, one-timing a pass from Steven Stamkos in the right circle. Chris Kreider quickly responded to make it 3-1 at 18:30. He beat Vasilevskiy short side from the left circle on a 2-on-1 with Trocheck.
Panarin pushed it to 4-1 at 11:16 of the third period with a wrist shot from the right circle. He then completed the hat trick with a power-play goal at 15:26 for the 5-1 final.
