Artemi Panarin, Rangers Thrill NHL Fans in Game 1 Win vs. Alex Ovechkin, Capitals

The New York Rangers sure looked like the NHL's best team on Sunday.

Led by goals from Matt Rempe, Artemi Panarin and Jimmy Vesey—all within just over two minutes of each other in a frantic second period—the Rangers beat the Washington Capitals, 4-1, claiming Game 1 in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Martin Fehervary scored the lone goal for Washington, just over a minute after Vesey capped the Rangers' goal bonanza.

Chris Kreider capped the scoring on a third-period breakaway, setting a Rangers' postseason record with his 41st goal, while Barclay Goodrow added two assists for New York.

Panarin's goal, meanwhile, ended a nine-game postseason scoring drought for him.

No team scored more points during the regular season than these Rangers (114), which included a regular-season split with the Capitals. And Sunday's very convincing performances had fans and pundits alike feeling that a big postseason might be on tap:

The Rangers defense was superb, holding the Capitals to just 21 shots, with Igor Shesterkin deftly handling 20 of them. This was a complete performance.

And the Big Apple is so hype for these Rangers, even the New York Yankees were showing them the love on Sunday:

It's a special time in New York. The Rangers, Islanders and Knicks are in the postseason. The Yankees have started 15-7 behind the star power of Juan Soto, and the Mets are 12-8. The NFL draft is upcoming for the Jets and Giants, where hope springs eternal.

But no team in the city looks better than these Rangers. One down, 15 to go.