In the NHL playoff clash between the New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils, Vladimir Tarasenko stood out as a pivotal contributor for the visitors. His precise wrist shot helped push the Rangers to a commanding victory in Newark, sealing a 5-1 win that left the home team chasing momentum early in the series.
The opening goal of the night came in the 12th minute, credited to Eric Howla for the Devils. The Rangers responded quickly, with Tarasenko finding the mark to swing the momentum in New York’s favor and set the tone for the rest of the game.
Beyond Tarasenko, the Rangers received multiple scoring threats. Chris Kreider hit the net twice, while Patrick Kane and Kaapo Kakko also contributed to the scoring sheet, helping the visitors build a comfortable lead as the game progressed.
With this victory, the New York Rangers extended their series lead to two games to none. The teams are scheduled to meet again, and the third contest is slated for April 23 with a 3:00 start time in Moscow time, continuing the tightly contested playoff series.
Earlier in the series, the Rangers also claimed a 5-1 win, a game in which Tarasenko delivered a notable goal that helped amplify the visitors’ early-season series momentum and put pressure on the opposition from the outset.
Tarasenko’s scoring in the playoffs has also had implications beyond the current series. His goals over the last decade have placed him among the top scorers in the Stanley Cup playoffs, a statistic that has drawn attention in comparison to other long-standing leaders in the league. The discussion around Tarasenko’s impact on the team’s chances has been part of a broader narrative about the Rangers’ offensive depth this season.
There has been additional talk surrounding the broader hockey landscape, including reflections on the state of play within Russian players who have spent time in North American leagues. In related commentary, Vladimir Malkin, the father of former NHL forward Evgeni Malkin, spoke about his son’s mood following his team’s absence from the playoffs, underscoring the emotional stakes teams feel as late-season results unfold. Such perspectives are often shared during playoff runs and add a human element to the on-ice action [Source attribution].