NEW YORK — Alexis Lafreniere scored the tiebreaking purpose early in the 3rd length and added two assists, Louis Domingue made 25 saves in his first NHL game in just about 18 months, and the New York Rangers beat the Minnesota Wild 4-1 on Thursday evening.
Vincent Trocheck additionally had a purpose and two assists, Artemi Panarin had a purpose and an help, and Blake Wheeler additionally scored because the Rangers received for the 8th time in 9 video games. Their best loss in that extend was once a shootout defeat at Minnesota ultimate Saturday.
Domingue, who ultimate seemed for Pittsburgh in opposition to the Rangers in the primary spherical of the 2022 playoffs, began with each Igor Shesterkin and backup Jonathan Quick nursing accidents and now not in uniform. Rookie Dylan Garand, additionally summoned from AHL Hartford, was once the backup.
“To me, he was in place on everything. I thought he played a heck of a game,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said of the goalie. “He actually stepped up in that 2nd length once I suppose they fired 30 makes an attempt at our web. Ultimately, he gave us a possibility at 1-1 pushing into the 3rd length.”
Brandon Duhaime scored for the Wild, and Marc-Andre Fleury finished with 24 saves. Minnesota snapped a two-game win streak and lost for the fifth time in seven games (2-4-1).
“It was once extra their speedy get started than our gradual get started,” Wild trainer Dean Evason mentioned. “We want consistency. We have to find that to win.”
Lafreniere completed off a sexy passing play with Panarin to attain his 5th purpose of the season at 1:41 of the 3rd to position the Rangers forward. Panarin’s help prolonged his season-starting issues streak to 13 video games, one shy of the Rangers’ franchise file set by way of Rod Gilbert in 1972-73.
“We bounced back in the third,” said Lafreniere, who had his first career three-point game. “A actually giant win.”
Wheeler had a power-play purpose with 5:21 left – his first purpose since becoming a member of the Rangers in the offseason – to make it 3-1 prior to Panarin finished the scoring with an empty-net purpose, his 8th of the season. Panarin has a team-best 22 issues.
(*3*)It was once a excellent feeling to attain a purpose and prolong the lead.”
The Rangers are 15 for 42 at the chronic play this season.
Trocheck opened the scoring, rifling a prime shot previous Fleury at 3:56 of the primary length. It was once Trocheck’s fourth purpose of the season and 3rd in two video games. Defenseman Erik Gustafsson had an help at the play for his 2 hundredth profession level.
Duhaime tied it with 7:27 left in the second one with his 3rd purpose of the season, deflecting a shot previous Domingue.
In the 3rd, Domingue made a glove save on former Ranger Vinni Lettieri previous right through a New York power-play and Domingue heard fanatics at Madison Square Garden chanting “Louie, Louie” overdue in the game when he denied some other former Ranger Mats Zuccarello.
“It was an awesome experience,” Domingue said. “I want my youngsters would had been right here to peer that however I do know they have been gazing at house. Hopefully I am getting to percentage one with them.”
Dominque’s victory additionally made it the primary season since 1989-90 that the Rangers had 3 goaltenders file wins in the group’s first 13 video games.
UP NEXT
Wild: At Buffalo on Friday after which host Dallas on Sunday prior to heading to Sweden for the NHL Global Series the place they play Ottawa and Toronto.
Rangers: Host Columbus on Sunday.