BOSTON — Less than a week removed from getting swept on the road, the Rangers rebounded with a two-game sweep of their own.
The Blueshirts took advantage of two banged up Eastern Conference opponents this week, pulling one out over the Hurricanes on Wednesday before trouncing the Bruins, 6-2 , Friday afternoon at TD Garden to extend their winning streak to three games.
Both clubs — but especially the Bruins, who were without David Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy, Pavel Zacha and Matej Blumel — may have been seriously hampered, but these were a notable pair of victories against teams toward the top of the conference.
If they weren’t able to best these teams in their current states, it would’ve been a damning reflection on the Rangers.
The Rangers celebrate a goal during their Nov. 28 win over the Bruins. NHLI via Getty Images
While the 4-2 win in Raleigh, N.C. was more of a challenge, the Rangers dominated a Bruins lineup that could’ve been deployed in an exhibition game.
Boston couldn’t even get on the board until early in the third period, when Casey Mittelstadt tapped one in through some net-front chaos.
One minute and 42 seconds later, however, Morgan Geekie got a stick on a Henri Jokiharju shot off a Bruins faceoff win to cut the Rangers’ lead to two.
The Bruins upped their game in the final frame as the Rangers laid back a bit, but the visitors were able to clamp down.
Alexis Lafreniere scored an empty-net goal before Vladislav Gavrikov deflected a Vincent Trocheck shot for the four-goal lead.
Breaking the game open in the second period, the Rangers dumped 17 shots on Bruins goalie Joonas Korpisalo while limiting the home team to just five.
Artemi Panarin attempts a shot during the Rangers’ Nov. 28 win against the Bruins. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
A couple of Bruins high-sticking penalties, including a double minor on Hampus Lindholm, opened the door for the Rangers to pad their lead.
They did not let the opportunity pass them by, as Mika Zibanejad scored twice — 45 seconds apart — to give his team a 4-0 lead going into the second intermission.
The Rangers pounced on a hampered Bruins team early.
Less than three and a half minutes in, Will Cuylle stripped the puck from Jonathan Aspirot before dishing to Artemi Panarin in transition.
Panarin, who led the team with four points, ripped his third goal in four games right under the glove of Korpisalo for the 1-0 lead.
Consistently funneling shots on goal, the Rangers controlled the puck more often than not through the opening 20 minutes.
The Bruins thought they got on the board later in the period, after Riley Tufte stuffed the puck — and by extension Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin — into the goal.
Refs waved it off immediately, citing goaltender interference.
Carson Soucy’s bullet one-timer at the 12:02 mark then gave the Rangers their first 2-0 lead going into the first intermission of the season.
