Artemi Panarin, Rangers Championed By NHL Fans for Sweeping Alex Ovechkin, Capitals

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 28: Rangers center Mike Zibanejad (93), center Vincent Trocheck (16), left wing Chris Kreider (20), and left wing Artemi Panarin (10) celebrate after Trocheck's first period goal during game four of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs between the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals National Hockey League game on April 28, 2024 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The New York Rangers are the first team to advance in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

After taking the first three games of the series against the Washington Capitals, New York finished the job Sunday with a 4-2 victory.

B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIce
AN EMPIRE STATE OF MIND … Rangers on top of the city after sweeping the Caps out of the first round 🏙️🧹 <a href="https://t.co/x8sAEXXcIO">pic.twitter.com/x8sAEXXcIO</a>

B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIce
First handshake line of the playoffs 🤝 <a href="https://t.co/6cR64MucY8">pic.twitter.com/6cR64MucY8</a>

It was the first series sweep for the Rangers since 2007, when they swept the Atlanta Thrashers in the first round.

The Presidents' Trophy winners did not take long to get on the board, as Kaapo Kakko scored within the first minute.

x - New York Rangers @NYRangers
PUT IN THE WORK + PUT IT AWAY. <a href="https://t.co/QJldoGKAOo">pic.twitter.com/QJldoGKAOo</a>

Washington would tie it at one, but Vincent Trocheck would reestablish the lead before the first period ended.

x - New York Rangers @NYRangers
Power play Troch strikes from the slot. <a href="https://t.co/h2wio94AO3">pic.twitter.com/h2wio94AO3</a>

Hendrix Lapierre scored for the Caps in the second, and the teams entered the final period knotted at two. However, Panarin would score within the first five minutes of the third to put New York in the lead for a third time.

x - New York Rangers @NYRangers
A Breadman SNIPE, you love to see it. <a href="https://t.co/IujTU3OrIX">pic.twitter.com/IujTU3OrIX</a>

Washington could not find the equalizer, and an empty-net goal from Jack Roslovic ensured New York's trip to the second round.

Igor Shesterkin had 22 saves, and Panarin's four shots led the team.

Fans took to social media to congratulate Panarin and the Rangers for clinching a berth in the next round:

✨ Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content

Mollie Walker @MollieeWalkerr
FINAL — <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYR?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NYR</a> 4, Capitals 2 Rangers were the first team in and they're the first team moving on. First 4-game sweep since 2007. <a href="https://t.co/Am8nVOYD5z">pic.twitter.com/Am8nVOYD5z</a>

Madyson @Majorleaguemadd
NY sports today: - Yankees put up 15 runs (again) - Knicks take a 3-1 lead - Rangers sweep and advance

chris kreider respecter @jonmoxIeys
rangers beat the presidents trophy first round exit allegations <a href="https://t.co/mTnYENJIoO">pic.twitter.com/mTnYENJIoO</a>

BlueShirtsNation.com  @NYRangerFanclub
THE NEW YORK RANGERS SWEEP THE SERIES!!! 🧹 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nyr?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#nyr</a> Round 2 HERE WE COME! <a href="https://t.co/4y2L6af8Wg">pic.twitter.com/4y2L6af8Wg</a>

chris kreider respecter @jonmoxIeys
RANGERS SWEEP THEY ARE GOING TO THE NEXT ROUND <a href="https://t.co/HNBoquRBZa">pic.twitter.com/HNBoquRBZa</a>

Leen @natalinabreaNYR
BRING OUT THE BROOMS 🧹🧹🧹🧹 OUR NEW YORK RANGERS ARE THE FIRST TEAM MOVINGGGG ON!!! SO LONG CRYING CAPS✌🏻 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYR?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NYR</a> <a href="https://t.co/7Ai3TMI8kR">pic.twitter.com/7Ai3TMI8kR</a>

sam prevot @s_prevot
can the rangers tweet "cry" i just wanna see what happens

Thomas Carrieri @Thomas_Carrieri
A Boston versus New York Celtics Vs. Knicks and Bruins Vs. Rangers Eastern Conference Finals would actually be epic.

Ben Burko @BenBurko
WHAT AN AMAZING DAY TO BE A KNICKS AND RANGERS FAN

Dolphreaky @dolphreaky
Every Rangers fan sleeping tonight after the sweep 🧹 😴 <a href="https://twitter.com/NYRangers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NYRangers</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nyr?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#nyr</a> <a href="https://t.co/IcGEBcrhWO">pic.twitter.com/IcGEBcrhWO</a>

The Rangers advance out of the first round for the first time since 2022. They will face either the Carolina Hurricanes or the New York Islanders in Round 2.

A battle for New York supremacy could be interesting, as it has not happened since 1994. However, it could be a tough ask considering that the Islanders are trailing the Hurricanes 3-1.

If Carolina advances, New York could ride the extra rest and the fact that it won the season series 2-1.