NEW YORK — Rangers fans waited five years to see playoff hockey again at Madison Square Garden and they’ll get to see at least another home game.
After dropping the series opener in three overtimes on Tuesday, the Rangers bounced back Thursday when Artemi Panarin, held scoreless in Game 1, and Frank Vatrano, each had a goal and two assists as the Rangers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins, 5-2 in Game 2 of the teams’ first-round series.
The Rangers appeared to escape what could have been a devastating blow when goaltender Igor Shesterkin was flattened on a hit by Pittsburgh’s Jeff Carter with 2:04 remaining in the third period. Shesterkin lay on his back and writhed in pain for a few moments, and the training staff came out to check on him. But he was able to get up on his own and finish the game.
