New York Rangers right wing Kaapo Kakko (24) celebrates with center Mika Zibanejad after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Seattle Kraken, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
NEW YORK (AP) — Blake Wheeler had two goals, Kaapo Kakko scored in his second game back from a long injury absence and the New York Rangers beat the Seattle Kraken 5-2 on Tuesday night.
Igor Shesterkin made 29 saves as the Rangers won their second straight after four consecutive losses. Vincent Trocheck and Erik Gustafsson scored in the first period for New York.
“That was important for the team. A huge win,” Shesterkin said before the Rangers head west on a four-game trip to face Vegas, Los Angeles, Anaheim and San Jose.
Jordan Eberle and Jared McCann had the Seattle goals.
The Rangers were coming off a 2-1 home win over Washington on Sunday to snap their skid. Seattle’s nine-game winning streak ended with a 3-0 loss at Pittsburgh on Monday.
Mika Zibanejad and Adam Fox each had two assists for the Rangers, who are 5-0-1 against the Kraken — an expansion franchise in 2021-22 — and have outscored them 23-12.
New York is 15-6-0 halfway through its home schedule and 17-0-1 when scoring four or more goals this season.
The Rangers also improved to 13-5-1 against Western Conference teams and 8-2-0 versus Pacific Division opponents.
“In the second period we had great opportunities, we just didn’t execute,” Kraken coach Dave Hakstol said. ”We had a lot of jump, but guys who played a lot of minutes last night also had to play big minutes tonight, and that wears on you.”
The 37-year-old Wheeler, former captain of the Winnipeg Jets, scored twice for the second time this season, his 16th in the NHL and first with the Rangers.
“Down the stretch as we head towards the playoffs, we need everyone contributing,” Wheeler said. ”We all have to chip in.”
Trocheck opened the scoring on the…
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