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New York Rangers: Panarin’s brilliance, other takeaways from Caps win

By Andrew Steele-Davis

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 20: Artemi Panarin #10 and Ryan Strome #16 of the New York Rangers celebrate after a goal in the third period against the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden on November 20, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 20: Artemi Panarin #10 and Ryan Strome #16 of the New York Rangers celebrate after a goal in the third period against the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden on November 20, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 20: Tom Wilson #43 of the Washington Capitals and Brendan Lemieux #48 of the New York Rangers fight in the third period of their game at Madison Square Garden on November 20, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 20: Tom Wilson #43 of the Washington Capitals and Brendan Lemieux #48 of the New York Rangers fight in the third period of their game at Madison Square Garden on November 20, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

2. Lemieux rises to the occasion

Stick taps for Brendan Lemieux all round.

The bottom six grinder has displayed his toughness ever since he first walked through the doors at MSG, and he’s dished out 36 hits and accumulated 52 penalty minutes already this season.

He is prepared and willing to drop the gloves whenever it is necessary and it was certainly required against the Washington Capitals.

The Caps only outhit the Rangers by a margin of 29-27 but they dealt out some bone-crushing hits, particularly on Brett Howden who still managed to play his best game of the year despite taking some brutal punishment.

And then there is Tom Wilson. Now, we don’t need to delve into the enforcer’s history or reputation, but it was no surprise to see him buzzing around trying his best to get a reaction from the Rangers.

Wilson also dished out eight hits and it culminated in Lemieux having enough and deciding that he wasn’t going to stand for that in his own house.

So, as a result, we were treated to a slugfest between two heavyweights as Lemieux and Wilson absolutely went at it before the former made sure to whip MSG into a frenzy as he made his way to the penalty box.

It was a reminder of just how tough and fearless Lemieux is because, love him or hate him, Wilson is one of the toughest customers out there in the NHL.

Lemieux’s impressive tilt was the epitome of just how tough the Rangers were against a very physical Capitals team, and that should serve as major encouragement moving forward.

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