The Rangers got off to a good start after the Christmas break. Following a methodical first period in which there was no scoring, the Rangers used a three-goal second period to defeat the Capitals 5-1 on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.

The win was their second straight and fifth over their last six games – dating back to Dec. 15. Combined with the Islanders’ 7-0 loss to the Penguins on Dec. 27, the Rangers lead the Metropolitan Division by eight points. Their 24-8-1 record is the best in the league. They’re tied with the Canucks for the most points with 49.

Through 33 games, it’s gone extremely well for Peter Laviolette. The .667 winning percentage is the best by a Rangers coach in franchise history. He’s done a great job so far. It’ll be interesting to see what develops when the New Year arrives. In a league where there doesn’t appear to be a dominant team, the Rangers have an opportunity to do something special. The true measure will come next spring.

Miller’s Big Night Keys Victory

On a night that didn’t start out too exciting, the Rangers used a big second period to push past the Capitals. After falling behind on an Amthony Mantha goal that beat Igor Shesterkin high glove, they responded quickly.

K’Andre Miller scored to tie the game less than three minutes later. It was part of a big night that was a key to the victory. On some sustained pressure from Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad, Miller made a good pinch to get open in front. He took a Zibanejad feed and beat Capitals goalie Darcy Kuemper with a backhand that snuck under his blocker to tie the score with 12:57 left in the second period.

Miller wasn’t done. After he lost defensive partner Jacob Trouba to an upper-body injury on an accidental hit by Tom Wilson on a follow-through, the 23-year-old defenseman added another goal and an assist in the third period – recording his third career three-point game. The multi-goal game was the second of his career.

For that effort, Miller was deservedly named the game’s first start. Previously, he’d gone six games without a point. However, four of his seven goals this season have come in December. He’s up to seven goals and eight assists for 15 points in 2023-24.

Panarin and Schneider Score 40 Seconds Apart

With the game tied and the Rangers on the penalty kill, Zibanejad drew a tripping minor on Capitals rookie Ivan Miroschnichenko to even things up. Eventually, that led to a power play.

On the five-on-four, Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck combined to set up a Panarin power-play goal that put the Rangers ahead 2-1 with less than eight minutes remaining in the period. Panarin and Braden Schneider scored 40 seconds apart to suddenly put the Rangers up by two.

Following Panarin’s team-leading 19th goal of the season, the Rangers’ fourth line got involved. Assigned with the matchup of stifling the Caps’ top line of Alex Ovechkin, Dylan Strome, and Wilson, the trio of Barclay Goodrow, Jimmy Vesey, and Tyler Pitlick followed up with a good shift that resulted in Schneider getting his second goal in four games.

After Vesey put in some work down low to get the puck over to Ryan Lindgren, he moved it towards an open Schneider, who cut in and snapped a wrist shot that bear Kuemper to make it 3-1 with 7:12 left in the second.

It was a good response from Schneider after a tough game before Christmas that saw him benched in the third period of a 4-3 overtime win over the Sabres on Dec. 23. The Rangers needed him after Trouba exited the game. In 24 shifts, Schneider had a goal, two hits, two blocked shots, and went a plus-three in 18:40 of ice time. It was exactly the kind of performance he’s capable of.

Cuylle Physically Involved

Although he didn’t hit the score sheet in the win, rookie Will Cuylle was physically involved throughout the game. A strong forward who’s got six goals while continuing to lead all rookies in hits. Credited with three hits against the Caps, he padded his total to 85 in 33 games this season. The 85 hits rank 15th among all skaters.

For the game, Cuylle had two shots in three attempts and had three blocks in 16 shifts (13:29) while playing on the third line with Nick Bonino and Jonny Brodzinski.

Strong Third Ices the Game

With Shesterkin continuing to improve his play by making 26 saves on 27 shots, the Rangers iced the game with a strong third period.

Less than seven minutes into the third, Miller got his second of the game to give the Rangers a three-goal lead. On some good work from Blake Wheeler, he moved the puck up to Chris Kreider. Kreider then used his speed to back up the Caps and find Miller open at the left point. His wrist shot beat Kuemper through traffic to make it 4-1 with 13:06 remaining.

The assist gave Wheeler a four-game point streak (1-4-5). After a slow start, the 37-year-old American has hit his stride. He’s fit in well on the first line with Zibanejad and Kreider. In 33 games, he has five goals and nine assists for 14 points. The Rangers are finally getting production from the veteran.

Over the same four-game stretch, Kreider has seven points (1-6-7). He’s up to 14 assists on the season. That’s four less than his total in 2022-23. He ranks second on the team in goals with 17, and the 14 helpers give him 31 points in 33 contests.

With under nine minutes left in regulation, Alexis Lafreniere finished off a nice cross-ice pass from Adam Fox to pad the lead to 5-1. It was his 10th of the season.

Miller started the play by passing the puck over to Fox by the wall. He then patiently waited before making a perfect dish for a quick Lafreniere one-timer that beat Kuemper low to conclude the scoring.

Blueshirts Conclude Year in Florida

The Rangers will conclude the year in Florida. They’ll take on the Panthers on Friday night, Dec. 29 at 7 EST. After that, they’ll travel to Tampa to play the Lightning on Saturday, Dec. 30 at 7 EST. Facing two good teams who boast explosive offenses, it’ll be a good test for the Blueshirts.