Rempe sparks Rangers to Recreation 1 win in opposition to Capitals – NHL.com

Scores 1st of New York's 3 targets in 2nd interval, Shesterkin makes 20 saves
R1, Gm1: Capitals @ Rangers Recap
NEW YORK — Matt Rempe scored the primary of the three targets for the New York Rangers in a 2:06 span within the second interval in a 4-1 win in opposition to the Washington Capitals in Recreation 1 of the Japanese Convention First Spherical at Madison Sq. Backyard on Sunday.
Jimmy Vesey had a objective and an help, and Artemi Panarin and Chris Kreider scored for New York, which is the No. 1 seed from the Metropolitan Division and gained the Presidents’ Trophy as the highest group through the common season (55-23-4). Igor Shesterkin made 20 saves.
“I will all the time keep in mind it. It was superior,” Rempe mentioned. “It did not actually kick in and then you definately hear the gang. It was a dream come true. It was unreal. … I do know my recreation. I do know I can skate nicely and be bodily. I am constructed for the playoffs, I believe. … I used to be proud of how tonight went.”
Martin Fehervary scored, and Charlie Lindgren made 27 saves in his Stanley Cup Playoff debut for the Capitals, who’re the second wild card from the Japanese Convention.
“The primary interval was OK,” Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin mentioned. “The second interval, a pair errors and so they rating targets, however all of us perceive it is a playoff recreation. All people has to play significantly better, so overlook about this one and transfer ahead.”
Recreation 2 will likely be in New York on Tuesday.
Rempe gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead at 4:17 of the second, scoring from the left submit for his first NHL playoff objective.
WSH@NYR R1, Gm1: Rempe buries opening objective within the 2nd interval
“I believe any recreation he is within the lineup he is had an impact on the sport,” Vesey mentioned of Rempe. “I believe it has been enjoyable enjoying with him. He reveals up each evening for the group, and it is nice to see him get that objective. It was a giant objective within the recreation, clearly, however the look on his face was fairly cool, too.”
Panarin put New York forward 2-0 at 4:50 with a wrist shot from the best circle. He led the Rangers and was fourth within the NHL with 120 factors (49 targets, 71 assists) through the common season.
“They’re opportunistic. They seem to be a good group,” Capitals defenseman John Carlson mentioned. “We all know they are going to have the ability to bury possibilities. We all know we won’t be giving them 2-on-1s in the midst of the ice and stuff like that. It is nothing we did not anticipate, nothing we have not talked about. We’ve got an opportunity to play loads higher, and I believe for us simply regroup and put our heads down and get again to work like we all the time have.”
WSH@NYR R1, Gm1: Panarin tucks it dwelling to double Rangers’ lead
Vesey elevated the result in 3-0 at 6:23 when his shot deflected off Carlson previous Lindgren. He and his linemates Barclay Goodrow and Rempe mixed for 2 targets and three assists.
“They have been good for us all yr and it was huge for them to play in addition to they did tonight, rating a pair targets for us,” Rangers captain Jacob Trouba mentioned. “I believe we’ve actually good depth all through our lineup and every line can rating targets and defend and play stable hockey. That is the power of our group, so I do not assume anyone in right here is stunned by that.”
Fehervary received the Capitals to inside 3-1 at 7:31 by deflecting a cross from Tom Wilson previous Shesterkin. It was his first NHL playoff level in his ninth postseason recreation.
Kreider scored on a breakaway at 16:17 of the third for the 4-1 last.
“You are right here to win video games, and so it is clearly good to get the primary one,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette mentioned. “… Every part ratchets up just a little bit extra (within the playoffs) and we’ll must be prepared, however you may solely do one after the other. It is advisable to win one after the other, so for that the end result was good.”
WSH@NYR R1, Gm1: Kreider tucks it dwelling on a breakaway
Washington solely had six photographs within the third interval and didn’t get its first on internet till there was 7:44 remaining.
“It makes the sport fairly simple when everybody’s going like that,” New York defenseman K'Andre Miller mentioned. “I believe we had our foot on the pedal all evening and made it actually onerous on their defensemen, did not give them a lot. “
The Capitals had been 2-for-2 on the penalty kill however 0-for-4 on the ability play.
“They’ve clearly received excellent particular groups over there, and to close them down on the PK was huge momentum for us,” Carlson mentioned. “We had loads of possibilities to seize it via these kills, via the ability performs, however whenever you let it blow within the wind, you by no means know what is going on to occur.”
NOTES: Kreider performed in his 108th playoff recreation to cross Marc Staal for sole possession of third place Rangers historical past. Solely Dan Girardi (122) and Henrik Lundqvist (130) have performed in additional. … Capitals defenseman Vincent Iorio sustained an upper-body damage within the second and didn’t return. Coach Spencer Carbery didn’t have an replace. Washington was additionally with out defensemen Nick Jensen (higher physique) and Rasmus Sandin (higher physique), and Carlson performed a game-high 27:24. … Panarin has 121 factors within the common season and playoffs mixed. The one Rangers gamers with extra in a single season are Jaromir Jagr (125 in 85 video games in 2005-06) and Vic Hadfield (122 in 94 video games in 1971-72). … Ovechkin was held with no shot on objective for the fourth time in 148 postseason video games. He’s second amongst energetic NHL gamers with 72 playoff targets, one behind Dallas Stars ahead Joe Pavelski.
🔹 Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
🔹 Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
🔹 New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals
🔹 Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Islanders
🔹 Dallas Stars vs. Vegas Golden Knights
🔹 Winnipeg Jets vs. Colorado Avalanche
🔹 Vancouver Canucks vs. Nashville Predators
🔹 Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings

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