Outstanding defensive effort as Rangers beat Capitals 4-1

My three Rangers stars of the game

1. This is a copout, but the entire Rangers’ defense gets the top star this game.  It was such a team effort and you cannot discount the help from the forwards either.  Ryan Lindgren was outstanding (probably the best defenseman), but all of the blueliners made huge contributions.
2. Ryan Strome takes a lot of heat, but in this game he was excellent.  With a goal and an assist and two shots, he had an outstanding game.  He won six of 11 faceoffs and his goal was a great example of listening to the coaches and just shooting.
3. Igor Shesterkin quietly had a very good game.  The only goal he allowed was a little iffy, but he is so calm in net, it has to help the team around him.  He is creeping up the rankings among goalies this season. He is now fourth in the NHL in Goals Against Average (2.23) and fifth in Save Percentage (.922) among netminders who have played at least ten games.

The official three stars

1. Igor Shesterkin
2. Ryan Strome
3. Artemi Panarin

East Division

Scores

Sabres 3, Devils 2
Islanders at Penguins, 7pm

Standings:

1.  Boston           15 GP    10-3-2     22 points
2. Philadelphia   14 GP     8-3-3      19 points
3. Washington   16 GP     8-5-3      19 points
4. Islanders         16 GP     8-5-3      19 points
5. Pittsburgh      15 GP     8-6-1       17 points
6. Rangers           16 GP    6-7-3        15 points
7. New Jersey     12 GP     6-4-2       14 points
8. Buffalo             14 GP    5-7-2        12 points

What’s next

The Rangers are off for three days and next play at 7pm on Wednesday in Philadelphia. The game will be televised nationally on NBCSN.