NHL roundup: Panarin nets hat trick as Rangers hold on to beat Sharks 6-5

New York Rangers forward Artemi Panarin celebrates his third goal of the game in front of San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro and goalie Mackenzie Blackwood during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)

NEW YORK (AP) — Artemi Panarin had three goals and an assist, Jonathan Quick won again, and the New York Rangers held on to beat the San Jose Sharks 6-5 on Sunday night.

Mika Zibanejad had a goal and an assist, Will Cuylle and K’Andre Miller also scored, and Jacob Trouba, Vincent Trocheck and Jonny Brodzinski each had two assists to help the Rangers win for the sixth time in seven NHL games. Quick stopped 23 shots to improve to 7-0-1 this season.

The Metropolitan Division-leading Rangers have won 16 of their last 19 games, have a league-best 18 wins and are tied with Boston for tops with 37 points.

Anthony Duclair had a goal and an assist, and Jacob MacDonald, Fabian Zetterlund, Ryan Carpenter and Alexander Barbanov all scored for San Jose. Mackenzie Blackwood finished with 30 saves.

Elsewhere in the NHL on Sunday:

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BRUINS 3 BLUE JACKETS 1

BOSTON (AP) — Brad Marchand had a natural hat trick in the third period and Boston rallied to beat Columbus.

Facing each other for the second time in six days, the Bruins got some payback for a 5-2 loss in Columbus with their third straight victory. Jeremy Swayman, pulled in the loss at Columbus in the second period, made 24 saves.

Boone Jenner scored for the Blue Jackets, who lost for the third time in five games, and Spencer Martin stopped 25 shots.

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PREDATORS 2 SABRES 1

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Juuse Saros made 34 saves, Filip Forsberg scored his team-leading 13th goal and Nashville beat Buffalo.

Yakov Trenin also scored for the Predators in a first-period burst.

Victor Olofsson scored on a penalty shot for Buffalo, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 27 saves. The Sabres have lost three in a row to fall to 10-13-2.

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WILD 4 BLACKHAWKS 1

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Marco Rossi scored twice and Mats Zuccarello had a goal and two assists to lead Minnesota.

Matt Boldy also scored as the Wild won their third straight since John Hynes replaced the fired Dean Evason as coach. Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 27 shots.

Taylor Raddysh scored in the third period for Chicago, which lost its third straight. Petr Mrazek had 30 saves.

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KINGS 4 AVALANCHE 1

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Quinton Byfield scored twice, Anze Kopitar became the franchise leader in assists, and Los Angeles beat Colorado.

Trevor Moore and Drew Doughty also scored, Adrian Kempe had two assists, and the Kings got back on track after their five-game winning streak was snapped by Washington on Wednesday. Cam Talbot made 20 saves.

Josh Manson scored and Alexandar Georgiev finished with 34 saves for the Avalanche. Star defenceman Cale Makar did not play because of a lower body injury.

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AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL

The Associated Press

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