Igor Shesterkin recorded 31 saves, while Mika Zibanejad contributed one goal and two assists, leading the New York Rangers to a 4-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings at home on Monday night.
The Rangers had additional goals from Alexis Lafreniere, Chris Kreider, and Reilly Smith, demonstrating their offensive strength with 16 goals in their first three games of the season (2-0-1). Artemi Panarin provided three assists.
Smith, who joined the Rangers in a July trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins, scored his inaugural goal with the team. Shesterkin rebounded impressively after conceding six goals in an overtime defeat to the Utah Hockey Club on Saturday.
Dylan Larkin scored the lone goal for the Red Wings, who now stand at 1-2-0. Alex Lyon made 24 saves in his season debut.
The two teams will meet again on Thursday in Detroit.
Lafreniere opened the scoring at 11:45 in the first period, finishing off a one-timer from the right faceoff dot after receiving a pass from Panarin during a three-on-two rush.
Larkin equalized for Detroit with just two seconds left in the first period, scoring from his knees in the slot after a centering pass from Justin Holl.
Kreider put the Rangers ahead 2-1 with a power-play goal at 17:05 of the second period, redirecting Zibanejad’s shot that was set up by Panarin after a faceoff win.
Shesterkin made a critical save against J.T. Compher with 1:58 left in the second, accumulating 14 of his total saves during that frame.
Smith extended the Rangers’ lead to 3-1 at 4:51 of the third period, shooting a wrist shot past Lyon from the right circle after winning a faceoff.
With 2:42 remaining, the Red Wings pulled Lyon for an extra attacker, but Zibanejad sealed the game by scoring into the empty net from the top of the right circle, assisted by Panarin, with 1:22 to go. Panarin has now accumulated five assists in the first three games of the season.
