3 stars from the Rangers’ 4-1 Game 1 win over the Capitals on Sunday:
1. Matt Rempe
To the delight of the Garden crowd and the Blueshirts in general, the 6-foot-8 ¹/₂ forward started the team’s three-goal second period by scoring his first goal of the playoffs during his playoff debut.
2. Jimmy Vesey
Finishing with a goal and an assist, Vesey was a key part of the Rangers’ fourth line, which dominated the forecheck and scored two of the club’s four goals.
3. Artémi Panarin
After last season’s disappointing playoff performance, Artemi Panarin started off on the right foot with a crucial goal 33 seconds after Rempe scored to give the Rangers a 2-0 lead.
Key moment
Madison Square Garden was alarmingly quiet during a sleepy, scoreless first half, but after Rempe scored, the world’s most famous arena was awakened in a way that the Rangers woke up to. fed for the rest of the match.
Quote of the day
“I know my game. I can skate well, be physical and I’m built for the playoffs, I think. That’s where you want to play and I was happy with how tonight went.
—Matt Rempe
New York Post
