The New York Rangers advanced to the NHL playoffs by using a tried-and-true strategy, despite not playing their best hockey vs a desperate opponent.
The Presidents' Trophy–winning Rangers completed a sweep of the Washington Capitals with a 4-2 win in Game 4 on Sunday night,
thanks to an early third-period goal by Artemi Panarin and 23 saves by Igor Shesterkin. The victory advanced them to the second round of the playoffs.
Center Mika Zibanejad assured the media that the team's performance during the regular season (all 82 games) is ongoing.
Pickup for trade deadlines Jack Roslovic scored the game-winning goal with 51 seconds remaining, and the Rangers will play their next Eastern Conference semifinal matchup either the Carolina Hurricanes or their crosstown rivals, the New York Islanders. The Hurricanes are up 3-0 in the series.
Shesterkin described the extra days off as "always good" because they allowed the team to relax.
They were able to avoid overtime or a Wednesday trip to Madison Square Garden for Game 5 courtesy to Panarin's score with 16:39 left in regulation, 11 seconds after T.J. Oshie was called for high-sticking Vincent Trocheck.
As a result, they will get that rest. In order to defeat the Capitals and go to the playoffs this spring, they only needed four goals.
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