Rangers vs Senators: Mika Zibanejad Is Insane

The Rangers built off of Thursday’s win against Winnipeg and improved to 2-0 on the season.

The New York Rangers improved to 2-0 on the season as they defeated the Ottawa Senators by a final score of 4-1.

Here is tonight’s goal breakdown and instant reaction.

  • Mika Zibanejad came away with four points in Thursday’s home opener and he picked right up right where he left off with tonight’s opening goal on the power play.
  • Speaking of the Rangers’ power play, they were firing on all cylinders once again and operated a 66% on the evening. The addition on Artemiy Panarin has been integral as he creates havoc for the opposing team with his cross-ice passes to get players moving out of position.
  • A minor blip on the radar for the Rangers near the end of the first period as a puck deflected off of Brady Tkachuk and in behind Alexandar Georgiev. Marc Staal did a good job of battling Tkachuk in front, but sometimes luck intervenes and creates an unfortunate bounce.
  • Following a rough performance for Libor Hajek on Thursday, he rebounded very well after David Quinn paired him up with Jacob Trouba. Trouba’s calmness and ability to move the puck seemed to help out Hajek quite a bit and the two put together a very successful evening.
  • Mika Zibanejad, Artemiy Panarin and Pavel Buchne......OH MY GOODNESS WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO THE OTTAWA SENATORS. /
  • The first line created magic once again and I’m pretty sure Erik Brannstrom and Ron Hainsey are still wondering what the heck happened on the goal. Pavel Buchnevich with the big time play to pass up the easy shot on goal, and boy, was it worth it.
  • Mika Zibanejad wasn’t finished just there though, and completely dunked on the Senators for the second time in a span of two minutes. Just insane./
  • After watching from the sidelines on Thursday, Alexandar Georgiev turned in a 31 save performance for his first win of the season. His best save of the game came on a quick rebound chance in the crease and denied Connor Brown and Artemi Anisimov in order to keep the lead intact.
  • Artemiy Panarin wrapped the game up with his second point of the evening and gave the Rangers a commanding 4-1 lead in the third period. Obviously Mika Zibanejad has stolen the spotlight thus far, but Panarin has been just as good and has come as advertised.
  • Following the Rangers 4-1 win up in Ottawa, they will have a week off to enjoy themselves before reconvening next Saturday for a matchup with the Edmonton Oilers at Madison Square Garden./