MIKA ZIBANEJAD

New York led 2-0 midway through Game 3 before Tampa Bay scored three times to eke out a win. They don’t give up much and that’s how you win Stanley Cups.”The Rangers aren't discouraged by their losses on the road, where they are 2-7 this postseason. They also know what they need to improve on from the last two games — play more physical and do a better job of getting inside scoring chances against Andrei Vasilevskiy. Tampa Bay had won six straight before dropping the first two games against the Rangers. “We’ve been desperate the last couple of games,” Lightning captain Steven Stamkos said.

The New York Rangers have been in a similar position before in this postseason — looking to reverse the momentum back home after dropping two games on the road.

Ondrej Palat scored with 42 seconds left and the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning beat the New York Rangers 3-2 on Sunday to cut their deficit in the Eastern Conference finals to 2-1.

Lightning Rangers Hockey New York Rangers right wing Kaapo Kakko (24) scores on Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) in the first period of Game 2 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Eastern Conference finals, Friday, June 3, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) (John Minchillo)NEW YORK — (AP) — Mika Zibanejad scored in the third period, Igor Shesterkin stopped 29 shots and the New York Rangers beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 on Friday night to take a 2-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference finals. The series shifts to Tampa for Game 3 on Sunday and Game 4 on Tuesday night. The Lightning got an early power play when the Rangers' Ryan Reaves was whistled for slashing 2 1/2 minutes into the game. Motte nearly gave the Rangers the lead with 8 1/2 minutes remaining, but his shot deflected off the goalpost.

Mika Zibanejad scored in the third period, Igor Shesterkin stopped 29 shots and the New York Rangers beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 to take a 2-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference finals.

The New York Rangers’ third line has been making valuable contributions all season, and the trio’s success in Game 1 against Tampa Bay is a big reason the team finally has a lead during a postseason series.

Lightning Rangers Hockey New York Rangers' Filip Chytil celebrates goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period of Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Eastern Conference finals Wednesday, June 1, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) (Frank Franklin II)NEW YORK — (AP) — Filip Chytil scored twice in the second period and the New York Rangers routed the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning 6-2 on Wednesday night in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. Kaapo Kakko had the puck behind the Lightning net, came out to the goalie's right and sent a pass to Chytil in slot that he fired it past Vasilevskiy. It gave the Rangers a goal with the man advantage for the sixth straight game, tying a franchise playoff record, previously accomplished in 1986 and 1990. Kreider got the Rangers on the scoreboard first 1:11 into the game on the game's first shot on goal.

Filip Chytil scored twice in the second period and the New York Rangers routed the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning 6-2 on Wednesday night in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.

The Carolina Hurricanes lost goaltender Antti Raanta and rookie forward Seth Jarvis to injuries in Game 7 of their second-round playoff series against the New York Rangers.

Hurricanes Rangers Hockey New York Rangers center Filip Chytil (72) celebrates after scoring on Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Antti Raanta during the second period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, Saturday, May 28, 2022, in New York. Shesterkin had assists on Zibanejad’s first-period goal and Chytil’s second of the second period to give him three assists in 13 postseason games. The Rangers won their fourth straight elimination game, including Games 5, 6 and 7 against the Penguins. The Rangers led 2-0 after 20 minutes and added to it early in the second period. MILESTONESRangers F Chris Kreider played in his 93rd postseason game, tying Walt Tkaczuk for fifth place in franchise history.

Hurricanes Rangers Hockey New York Rangers center Filip Chytil (72) celebrates after scoring on Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Antti Raanta during the second period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, Saturday, May 28, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) (John Minchillo)NEW YORK — (AP) — Filip Chytil scored twice in the second period and the New York Rangers beat the Carolina Hurricanes 5-2 on Saturday night to force a deciding Game 7 in their second-round playoff series. The Rangers won their fourth straight elimination game, including Games 5, 6 and 7 against the Penguins. The Rangers led 2-0 after 20 minutes and added to it early in the second period. MILESTONESRangers F Chris Kreider played in his 93rd postseason game, tying Walt Tkaczuk for fifth place in franchise history.

Igor Shesterkin stopped 37 shots and became the fifth goalie to have two assists in a playoff game, Filip Chytil scored twice in the second period and the New York Rangers beat the Carolina Hurricanes 5-2 to force a deciding Game 7 in their second-round series.

Vincent Trocheck buried a short-handed goal, Teuvo Teravainen had a rare power-play score for Carolina and the Hurricanes beat the New York Rangers 3-1 on Thursday night to take a 3-2 lead in the second-round playoff series.

Hurricanes Rangers Hockey New York Rangers fans react after center Mika Zibanejad (93) scores on Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Antti Raanta in the second period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in New York. Game 5 is in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Thursday night, and Game 6 at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. About a minute into the Hurricanes' advantage, the Rangers had a 2-on-1, short-handed chance but Raanta made a sprawling save on Zibanejad. The Rangers were unhappy with a fight that broke out at the end of Game 3 on Sunday between Lindgren and Domi. POWER PLAYSThe Rangers were 1 for 4 on the power play and are now 2 for 11 in the series.

Andrew Copp had a goal and two assists, and Frank Vatrano and Adam Fox each had a goal and an assist as the New York Rangers beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 in Game 4 to even their second-round series.

Hurricanes Rangers Hockey New York Rangers' Mika Zibanejad reacts after scoring a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes in the first period of Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, Sunday, May 22, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) (Adam Hunger)NEW YORK — (AP) — Mika Zibanejad had a goal and an assist, Igor Shesterkin stopped 43 shots, and the New York Rangers beat the Carolina Hurricanes 3-1 Sunday in Game 3 of their second-round playoff series. It was just the Rangers' second win against Carolina in the teams' last 10 meetings, dating to the qualifying round of the 2020 playoffs in the bubble in Toronto. Zibanejad opened the scoring with the Rangers' first power-play goal of the series. The Rangers, who were shut out in Game 2, came in 0 for 5 on the power play against the Hurricanes.

Mika Zibanejad had a goal and an assist, Igor Shesterkin stopped 43 shots, and the New York Rangers beat the Carolina Hurricanes 3-1 in Game 3 of their second-round playoff series.

“That’s why playoff hockey is a lot of fun.”It wasn't a lot of fun early on, when the team that scored first won 26 times out of 32. “The standard is the standard: It’s not a regular-season standard, it’s not a playoff standard,” Commissioner Gary Bettman said at the start of the playoffs. They’re especially careful to uphold that because 20 work the first round, with eight sent home before the second begins. “If you’re not calling the NHL standard, there’s a good possibility that you won’t be moving on to the second round,” Peel said. ___Follow AP Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SWhyno___More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

The start of the NHL playoffs included more penalties called than any other first round in almost a decade.

Penguins Rangers Hockey New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin (10) reacts with teammates after scoring the game winning goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during overtime in Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Sunday, May 15, 2022, in New York. The Penguins also had captain Sidney Crosby back after he missed the last game with an upper body injury sustained midway through Game 5. Kreider gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead 7:36 into the game with his fifth goal of the series. GAME 7sThe Rangers improved to 10-6 all-time in a Game 7, including 8-1 at home. The Penguins fell to 10-8 in deciding games, including 6-1 in a Game 7 on the road.

Artemi Panarin scored a power-play goal 4:46 into overtime and the New York Rangers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 to advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Artemi Panarin scored a power-play goal 4:46 into overtime and the New York Rangers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 Sunday night to advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Mika Zibanejad had a goal and two assists, and Chris Kreider and K’Andre Miller also scored for New York, which got its third straight comeback win after trailing 3-1 in the series.

The New York Rangers will play the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round of the NHL playoffs.

Rangers Penguins Hockey New York Rangers' Mika Zibanejad (93) and Tyler Motte (64) begin the celebrate the winning goal by Chris Kreider (not shown) during the third period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, Friday, May 13, 2022. Jarry has not played since April 14, Rakell was injured in Game 1 of this series, and Crosby left in the second period of Game 5. This is the fourth time in franchise history the Rangers have forced a Game 7 after trailing 3-1 in a series. Forward Chris Kreider is the only player who was around the last two times they did it — the second round against the Penguins in 2014 and second round against Washington in 2015 — and won each of the deciding games. At 7-3, he's the league leader in coaching wins in a Game 7 and will become the leader for the most Game 7 appearances.

The New York Rangers were on the brink of elimination when they came back from Pittsburgh earlier in the week after two bad losses on the road.

Chris Kreider’s long slap shot bounced over Louis Domingue and into the net with 1:28 left and the New York Rangers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-3 to push their thrilling first-round series to a deciding Game 7.

Evgeni Malkin scored on a deflection 5:58 into the third overtime, giving the Pittsburgh Penguins a 4-3 victory over the New York Rangers in Game 1 of their first-round series.

Ryan Strome scored twice, Adam Fox added a goal and Igor Shesterkin made 31 saves as the New York Rangers recorded a third-straight shutout and their 50th win of the season, 3-0 over the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night. Eric Comrie made 31 saves for the Jets, who were officially eliminated post-season contention with the loss. After a scoreless first period, Strome broke through on the power play against Comrie at 15:57 of the second.

Seth Jarvis and Jordan Staal scored third-period goals and Frederik Andersen made 28 saves as the Carolina Hurricanes beat the New York Rangers 4-2 in a showdown for first place in the Metropolitan Division.

Tony DeAngelo had a goal and two assists against his former team as the Carolina Hurricanes beat the New York Rangers 6-3.

Timo Meier set a San Jose franchise record with five goals on Monday, and the Sharks used a huge first period to beat the Los Angeles Kings 6-2.

(AP Photo/Rich Schultz) (Rich Schultz)NEW YORK — (AP) — Mika Zibanejad had his eighth career hat trick, Igor Shesterkin stopped 38 shots for his second shutout of the season and the New York Rangers beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-0 Sunday. The Rangers beat the Lightning for the second time in three days after a 4-2 shootout victory at Tampa, Florida, on Friday night. Zibanejad, who had the only goal of the shootout Friday, completed his hat trick late in the second period to put the Rangers up 4-0. Nearly five minutes later, the Rangers were on a 4-on-3 power play when Zibanejad got his second of the night. STATUSSergachev went to the Lightning locker room just past midway through the second period with an apparent lower back/side injury.

Mika Zibanejad had his eighth career hat trick, Igor Shesterkin stopped 38 shots for his second shutout of the season and the New York Rangers beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-0.

Artemi Panarin scored the first of New York’s three third-period goals with 8:25 left and the Rangers beat the Boston Bruins 5-2 to give coach Gerard Gallant the best start in his first 20 games as coach.

Rangers Zibanejad Hockey FILE - In this Saturday, May 8, 2021, file photo, New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (93) skates against the Boston Bruins during the third period of an NHL hockey game, in Boston. The New York Rangers have agreed to terms with top center Zibanejad on an eight-year contract worth $68 million. Zibanejad will count $8.5 million against the salary cap beginning next season and through 2029-30. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File) (Charles Krupa)The New York Rangers and top center Mika Zibanejad have agreed to an eight-year contract worth $68 million. New York now has Zibanejad and forwards Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider and Barclay Goodrow signed for at least the next five seasons.

The New York Rangers and top center Mika Zibanejad have agreed to an eight-year contract worth $68 million.

Gerard Gallant expects the New York Rangers to take a big step in his first season as coach.

The New York Rangers say president John Davidson and general manager Jeff Gorton are out.

Washington's Tom Wilson has been fined $5,000 by the NHL for roughing New York Rangers forward Pavel Buchnevich.

Pavel Buchnevich celebrated his birthday with his first career hat trick and the New York Rangers beat the New Jersey Devils 6-3 on Saturday for their third win over their Hudson River rivals in five days.

New York Rangers' Mika Zibanejad (93) scores against Philadelphia Flyers' Carter Hart (79) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 17, 2021, in New York. (Bruce Bennett/Pool Photo via AP)NEW YORK – Mika Zibanejad had three goals and three assists in New York’s seven-goal second period, and the Rangers beat the Philadelphia Flyers 9-0 Wednesday night. Hartford Wolf Pack head coach Kris Knoblauch and associate head coach Gord Murphy, and Rangers associate general manager Chris Drury were behind the bench. Ad“You didn’t have much time to think about it,” Knoblauch said when asked about pregame preparation as the acting head coach. “Nothing about this game was any good,” Flyers coach Alain Vigneault said.

New York Rangers' Chris Kreider celebrates his goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Saturday, March 13, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)BOSTON – Chris Kreider scored his team-leading 14th goal, Artemi Panarin had an assist in his first game back since leaving the team, and the New York Rangers beat the Boston Bruins 4-0 Saturday to halt a three-game losing streak. Ryan Strome, Pavel Buchnevich and K’Andre Miller each had a goal for New York, which lost 4-0 in Boston on Thursday. The Rangers called the story about Panarin fabricated and designed to intimidate him for his political views against Russian President Vladimir Putin. He also robbed Kreider’s two close chances on a Rangers power play midway into the second.

New York Rangers left wing Alexis Lafrenire (13) scores a goal past Washington Capitals goaltender Vitek Vanecek (41) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, in Washington. Also seen are Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) and Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (93). Lafrenière scored his second NHL goal, Panarin had two assists and the Rangers made the best of a new-look lineup, beating the Washington Capitals 4-1 Saturday for their second consecutive victory. Panarin set up Lafrenière on the doorstep late in the second period, and his shot provided the rebound for Chris Kreider's power-play goal in the first. Zibanejad's goal was just his second since last season after scoring 41 in 57 games in 2019-20.

It was the first day of training camp for Laviolette and the Washington Capitals and most of the NHL. Camps are now open for the league's 31 teams and they will last just 10 days. “You get a fresh start,” said Jeff Skinner of the Buffalo Sabres, who haven't played a game since March. “Most players would argue that camps are a little bit long anyway," Winnipeg Jets captain Blake Wheeler said. “I’ve been told from our team and from the league, when a player is not on the ice during training camp, we’re supposed to say he’s not available today,” Philadelphia coach Alain Vigneault said.