Panarin hurt as the Rangers salvage a point in 3-2 loss to Bruins in OT

Everyone knew this was going to be a tough game for the Rangers. The Bruins came into the game with the best record in the East and the Rangers were mired in last place.  When they fell behind and then lost Artemi Panarin to an injury, it looked grim but the Rangers were able to tie the score, eventually losing in overtime. They salvaged a point, something they will need to do if they have any playoff hopes.

This was a very entertaining game, fast paced and full of action. The Rangers could have easily won if they had been able to beat Tukka Rask on a few golden chances, but he was the best player for the Bruins and he won the game for them.

Georgiev almost matched Rask, but was unable to stop two Bruins breakways.   For Mika Zibanejad it was another night of frustration as he could have scored two or three goals except for the heroics of Tukka Rask.  The good news is that Zibanejad said after the game that “he felt like my old self today” and said that “he just has to keep going and keep getting better every game.”

Overall, Coach Quinn was encouraged by the Rangers’ play.  He said “There was a lot of good things we can draw from, but obviously there are things we need to get better at.”  He was very happy with Georgiev, especially in the second period.

But the headline coming out of this game will be the injury to Artemi Panarin.  They won’t tell anyone what it is, but it looked like a groin strain.  After he sat for most of the third period, he played one power play shift, but it was clear he couldn’t skate at full speed.   Quinn called it a “little lower body injury.”

Panarin has only missed one game since he joined the team and predictably, the Rangers lost.  If he is unable to play on Friday against Boston, the whole team will have to step up.  As it was, tonight it was Julien Gauthier and Kevin Rooney  of the fourth line that accounted for the scoring, with assists to Brendan Lemieux on both goals.

Quinn was happiest with the play of the fourth line that scored both goals  He actually said that when he looked the minutes he said he  was “pissed at myself for not playing them more”  and he said that Gauthier “is really coming on and has gotten better and better in these three games.”