Georgiev helps Rangers top Blackhawks for sixth straight victory

NEW YORK -- The New York Rangers extended their winning streak to a season-high six games, defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.

Artemi Panarin had a goal and two assists, Ryan Strome scored and Alexandar Georgiev made 25 saves in his first start since Nov. 21.
The Rangers (16-4-3) have won eight straight games at home since Oct. 29. They are 10-1-0 since Nov. 8.
"We're coming to the rink expecting to win games," Strome said. "We're coming knowing we're a good team and we have the ability to win games when we put it together and that's what we've been doing. It's a good feeling right now."
Patrick Kane had a goal and an assist, Seth Jones had two assists, and Kevin Lankinen made 28 saves for the Blackhawks (8-13-2).
Chicago is 3-4-0 since winning a season-high four in a row from Nov. 7-17.
"We took a really good hockey team to the end and we were still in the game," Blackhawks coach Derek King said. "It wasn't a blowout and we fought back. We did a lot of positive things. Hey, there's going to be mistakes and we made a couple and they cost us. But you know what, those two mistakes that cost us, when I first got here there were probably about 10 or 12 mistakes. I think we're making really good strides."

The Rangers announced before the game that goalie Igor Shesterkin was placed on injured reserve and would miss at least three games with a lower-body injury he sustained in a 1-0 win against the San Jose Sharks at the Garden on Friday.
Georgiev has made 34 saves on 36 shots since relieving Shesterkin with 14:52 to play in the third period against San Jose. He hadn't played since allowing four goals on 18 shots in two periods against the Buffalo Sabres on Nov. 21.
His goals-against average for the season is down to 3.58 coming out of the win Saturday after being at 4.08 entering Friday. His save percentage is up to .876 from .858.
Georgiev said he needed a strong start and a win for his confidence after struggling with it the past two weeks.
"I don't really want to talk about the last two weeks," Georgiev said. "Not much playing time and things haven't gone the best, but at the same time I'm happy that I got a chance to play, happy that I got a chance to win games. That's most important for us."
The Rangers also improved to 8-1-3 in games decided by one goal, including 6-1-0 in seven such games since Nov. 8.
"Everyone is in it for the common goal, everyone wants to win hockey games," Strome said. "It's a lot of fun coming to the rink being in this position."
Panarin said the Rangers success overall is coming from their camaraderie off the ice and the details in their game on it.
"I think we work together pretty good and there's good energy in the locker room, off ice too," Panarin said. "Good friends. We respect each other. Then coach gives us confidence too. I think every single piece [of our game] we are trying to be better and that's why we're not bad this year."
Chicago scored first Saturday with Kane's goal at 19:37 of the first period giving it a 1-0 lead. Brandon Hagel batted the puck out of the air off Georgiev and into the slot to Kane, who put it in.
The Rangers challenged for missed stoppage, saying Hagel illegally batted the puck to Kane with a high stick. The Situation Room in Toronto supported the referee's call on the ice that Hagel's stick wasn't above his shoulders and the Rangers were assessed a minor penalty for delay of game.
But the Blackhawks couldn't convert on the power play and the Rangers did on theirs early in the third period, with Strome's goal from the right circle off a pass from Panarin out of the left circle tying it 1-1 at 4:41.
"We let up one seam and it's in our net," Jones said. "Panarin is pretty skilled."

Adam Fox made it 2-1 at 17:25, shooting from the slot after Panarin's shot into traffic from the right circle was knocked down in front.
Panarin extended the lead to 3-1 from the left circle off a backhand pass through the slot from Strome at 14:46 of the third period.
Alex DeBrincat scored at 18:41 with a shot from the left circle that got through Georgiev and trickled across the goal line to make it 3-2. The ruling on the ice was initially no goal, but it was changed to a goal upon video review.
"It's a tough loss," Jones said. "We did some good things."
NOTES: Blackhawks defenseman Jake McCabe missed his first game of the season because he had to return to Chicago prior to the game to tend to a family matter. … Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy also missed his first game of the season with a concussion. … The Rangers have scored a power-play goal in three straight games and five of six (5-for-17, 29.4 percent). They are 10-1-2 when scoring on the power play. … Chicago plays the second of back-to-back games at the New York Islanders on Sunday.