Rangers Defeat Bruins 6-2, Extend Streak to Three

The New York Rangers defeated the Boston Bruins 6-2 on Friday afternoon at TD Garden in Boston, extending their winning streak to three games in the NHL's annual Black Friday matchup between Original Six rivals.

The Rangers jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period, capitalizing on Boston's disjointed play amid multiple injuries. Artemi Panarin scored 3:28 into the game on a wrist shot from the right circle during a two-on-one rush set up by Will Cuylle. Carson Soucy added a unusual goal later in the frame, one-timing a bouncing puck from the left point after a Vincent Trocheck pass caromed off the boards. Igor Shesterkin preserved the shutout through 20 minutes, including a key denial on a potential tying goal that was nullified due to goaltender interference when a Bruins forward pushed him into the net along with the puck.

Boston, already without defenseman Charlie McAvoy and forward Viktor Arvidsson, learned hours before puck drop that star winger David Pastrnak and center Pavel Zacha were unavailable as day-to-day injuries. Prospect Matej Blumel was placed on long-term injured reserve with a lower-body issue suffered earlier in the week. The absences forced coach Marco...