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Lafrenière stars as Rangers post 2nd straight 4-0 win

By Steve Paulus

Apr 16, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers left wing Alexis Lafreniere (13) celebrates with New York Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin (31) after a 4-0 win against the Detroit Red Wings at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers left wing Alexis Lafreniere (13) celebrates with New York Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin (31) after a 4-0 win against the Detroit Red Wings at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 16, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers center Barclay Goodrow (21) and New York Rangers left wing Alexis Lafreniere (13) screen Detroit Red Wings goalie Thomas Greiss (29) during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers center Barclay Goodrow (21) and New York Rangers left wing Alexis Lafreniere (13) screen Detroit Red Wings goalie Thomas Greiss (29) during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports /

About the game

The Rangers came out flying and absolutely dominated the Red Wings. Of course, Thomas Greiss stood on his head and stopped several excellent chances including a Mika Zibanejad breakaway.

Detroit decided to help break the scoreless tie when they shot two straight pucks into the stands, creating a five-on-three for 1:29.   They Rangers had failed on their first four this season, but they didn’t this time as Zibanejad fired a one-time past Greiss.

The period ended with the Rangers on a power play that would extend into the second period.  They finished the period with 30 shot attempts and 17 shots on goal.  Igor Shesterkin was barely challenged, facing only three shots.  The only negative was Kaapo Kakko went off midway  through the period after twisting his knee when he fell awkwardly along the boards.

Kakko went to the locker room and didn’t return.  Just another case of bad luck for the young Finn, just after scoring two goals in his last game.  He was looking strong and had thrown big reverse hit earlier in the period.


The Rangers didn’t score on the power play to start the second period, but continued their dominant play.  Just when it was starting to get a little worrisome that they couldn’t build on the lead, they did on a blistering shot by Frank Vatrano.

Vatrano threw a heavy hit into Lucas Raymond and the Rangers took the puck.  Zibanejad made the pass to Vatrano who just shot the puck, beating Greiss.

It was another good period for the Rangers, but when they couldn’t score on a Moritz Seider holding penalty 12 minutes into the period, it gave the Red Wings some life.  They ended the period with seven of the last shots.  The period ended with the Rangers outshooting Detroit 25-14.  The Rangers had 50 shot attempts to 22 for the Red Wings.

Filip  Chytil took a late tripping penalty that extended into the third period. The Rangers killed the penalty and continued their excellent play.  Alexis Lafreniêre was the beneficiary of the Kakko injury when he replaced him on the third line and he scored his 16th goal of the season 4:37 into the period on a nice play by Barclay Goodrow in center ice to strip the Wings of the puck.

Lafrenière wasn’t done.He scored a highlight reel goal at 14:17, carrying the puck into the Red Wings zone, faking a shot then putting  the puck through his legs and then beating Griess with a backhand.

That could be  the prettiest goal of the year, in a season filled with quite a few pretty goals.

With the 4-0 lead, the Rangers were comfortably ahead and the only question was whether Shesterkin would get the Rangers second straight shutout.  The Rangers defense game the Red Wings absolutely nothing and Shesterkin got the shutout and the Rangers got their second straight 4-0 win.

Here’s a video recap of the game:

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