NEW YORK — Vladimir Tarasenko was nonetheless caught in the whirlwind of being traded for the primary time when he put an emphatic stamp on his first recreation with the New York Rangers.
The 31-year-old Russian ahead scored early in his New York debut, Kaapo Kakko and Vincent Trocheck every had a purpose and an help, and the Rangers beat the Seattle Kraken 6-3 on Friday night time for his or her fourth straight win.
“I don’t think I’ve ever experienced this in my life. It’s my first time getting traded in the NHL, like I spent 11 years in one city,” Tarasenko mentioned. “The guys give us a very warm welcome … Crazy day though.”
Ryan Lindgren additionally had a purpose and an help, and Jacob Trouba and Mika Zibanejad additionally scored for the Rangers, who’ve gained 5 straight at residence and are 12-3-0 in their final 15 at Madison Square Garden. Igor Shesterkin had 26 saves to enhance to 13-4-4 in his final 21 begins.
The Rangers are 19-4-3 since Dec. 5, when their season turned with a 6-4 residence win over St. Louis, who traded Tarasenko and defenseman Niko Mikkola to New York on Thursday.
Oliver Bjorkstrand had a purpose and an help, and Brandon Tanev and Jared McCann additionally scored for Seattle, who misplaced all three video games in opposition to New York space groups this week. Vince Dunn had two assists and Martin Jones had 22 saves.
Tarasenko paid fast dividends in his first recreation along with his new workforce, changing a go from fellow Russian Artemi Panarin previous Jones simply 2:49 into the competition. It was his eleventh purpose of the season and despatched the house crowd into hysterics with many thunderously chanting Tarasenko’s identify.
“Obviously it’s nice to connect for a goal,” Tarasenko mentioned of receiving the go from Panarin. “We hope more are coming and we play well every game.”
Tarasenko mentioned it took him without warning to listen to his identify echoing all through his new residence rink after he scored.
“I was thinking I was mishearing,” he said. “It’s completely different as a result of as a customer you actually do not hear the gang. This was thrilling!”
Kakko made it 2-0 at 5:01 with tenth purpose, assisted by linemates Filip Chytil and Alexis Lafreniere. Kakko has a career-high of 26 factors — together with a profession high-tying 10 targets — and Lafreniere has factors in six of his final seven video games.
Trocheck scored his fifteenth with 5:31 left in the primary and Trouba prolonged the margin to 4-0 at 1:03 of the second along with his fourth.
Bjorkstrand put the Kraken on the scoreboard at 2:07 of the second along with his tenth purpose.
Zibanejad scored his team-leading twenty sixth on the ability play at 3:19 of the third to revive the Rangers’ four-goal lead.
McCann scored his team-leading twenty fourth at 5:59 of the third and Tanev made it 5-3 simply 22 seconds later.
“We dug ourselves too much of a hole,” Kraken coach Dave Hakstol said. “They are large and they’re quick. They had been good at puck retrieval and maintaining performs alive.”
Lindgren added his short-handed empty-netter with 2:09 left to cap the scoring.
Rangers coach Gerard Gallant was succinct in his appraisal of Tarasenko, a six-time 30-plus goal scorer.
“He’s excited to play, he is an excellent hockey participant,” Gallant mentioned. “He’s going to help our team.”
NOTABLE DEBUTS
Only three earlier Rangers have scored inside the opening three minutes of their debuts: Norm Lowe (1:00 on Feb. 26, 1950), present Islanders coach Lane Lambert (2:28 on Dec. 10, 1986) and Mike Allison (2:44 on Oct. 9, 1980).
LINES
Tarasenko skated on the precise wing on a line with Zibanejad at heart and Panarin on left wing. The 31-year-old ahead performed 11 seasons with the Blues the place he had 262 targets in 644 video games. He had a career-best 40 targets in 2015-16. … Mikkola performed on a protection pairing with Braden Schneider.
UP NEXT
Kraken: At Philadelphia on Sunday.
Rangers: At Carolina on Saturday night time.