Rangers’ offense is slowed in 3-1 defeat to Bruins
NEW YORK (AP) — Jeremy Swayman To help the Boston Bruins beat them, he made 31 saves New York Rangers They won their eighth game in nine with a victory of 3-1 Thursday night.
Pavel Zacha, Patrice Bergeron Connor Clifton Scored for NHL-leading Boston. The team improved to 15-1-3 in its last 19 matches. Brad Marchand David Krejci Each received two assists.
Swayman was working to a shutout prior to New York’s defenseman Ben Harpur Scored with 4:23 remaining. In his eight last starts, the goaltender has improved to 6-0-2.
The Bruins improved to 36-5-4 overall, while the Rangers lost their 2nd straight at home.
Zacha scored the opening goal 1:19 into the first half, redirecting a Krejci shot through Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin. It was Zacha’s eighth goal this season and the 30th point for the former Devils forward.
Swayman made several outstanding stops in the first game as the Bruins beat the Rangers 13-11.
He saved himself from a Braden Schneider shot with his mask and made perhaps his best save at the period’s final second, smothering a Chris Kreider Redirection from a cross-ice pass Artemi Panarin.
The 37-year old captain of the Bruins, Bergeron, made it 2-0 at 4:12 in the second. He scored a goal from the high slot past Shesterkin. Bergeron, who has 17 goals and 36 points in his 19th NHL campaign, continues to be a success.
Swayman stopped Panarin’s breakaway in the second half and held the Rangers off during a late power play chance.
Clifton doubled the lead to 3-1 just 28 seconds into his third. It was his fourth of the season.
Boston had just won a road victory over the Islanders by 4-1 on Wednesday. It is now 8-0-1 in nine of its road games, and 15-4-1 this season on the road.
After a loss of 2-1 to Montreal on Sunday, the Rangers won Monday at Columbus. New York had won seven home games out of nine since Dec. 5.
WORTH NOTING
The Bruins have a record of 21-3-2 in Eastern Conference games against Eastern Conference foes. … Boston won the previous meeting by 5-2 in New York on Nov. 3. … They will meet again in Boston on March 4.
UP NEXT
Bruins: Sunday Night, San Jose Sharks will host the Bruins
Rangers: Florida Panthers host Rangers on Monday night.