The Latest Breaking News from Artemi Panarin

NEW YORK – A series that began in Game 1 with a triple overtime marathon that tested both teams’ stamina and Louis Domingue’s stomach was bookended in the same way.

"IT'S IN! IT'S IN! IT'S OVER!"

PITTSBURGH — The Penguins had finally toppled the Shesterkin wall. Approximately 18,000 arms already ached from waving yellow rally towels endlessly. And the party seemed to just be starting inside PPG Paints Arena when Evan Rodrigues made it 4-1.

NEW YORK — Rangers fans waited five years to see playoff hockey again at Madison Square Garden and they’ll get to see at least another home game.

NEW YORK — When the puck dropped Friday night in their regular-season finale, against the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden, the New York Rangers didn’t know whether the game would be a preview of their first-round playoff matchup or not.

After getting an injury scare when his leading scorer, Artemi Panarin, and Panarin’s linemate, Andrew Copp, left Tuesday’s game with upper- and lower-body injuries, respectively, Rangers coach Gerard Gallant decided to make a few changes with his lineup for Wednesday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens at Madison Square Garden.

There is a chance Evgeni Malkin will leave the Penguins after this season. He can become a free agent on July 13 and sign with another NHL team.

NEW YORK — The all-out sprint to the finish line of the regular season is in its final days for the Rangers, and coach Gerard Gallant’s men are storming their way to the tape.

NEW YORK — For most of the season, Gerard Gallant has had to figure out where exactly to put Alexis Lafreniere. On Wednesday, that place ended up being the bench — the first healthy scratch of Lafreniere’s career. On Saturday, it was the highlight reel.

It’s been five years since the Rangers last played in a playoff game. But finally, they will get to get to play playoff hockey again next month.

NEW YORK — No captain. No offense. No resistance to the rush. No chance.