Recap: Zibanejad, Panarin Lead Rangers Past Canadiens 4–3
The Rangers fully shook off their early-season scoring woes with a hard-fought 4–3 win over the Canadiens.

After finally breaking out of a confounding scoreless skid against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the New York Rangers went on to drop the game in overtime. Looking for some redemption and to get back into the win column the Rangers traveled east to take on the Montreal Canadiens.
First Period
The Canadians got off to a very quick start against the Rangers. Juraj Slafkovsky was able to sneak one by Jonathan Quick just over two minutes into the contest, as the Rangers struggled to keep the Canadians out of their zone for the majority of the first period.
The Rangers found themselves on the penalty kill twice in the first seven minutes of the matchup. Montreal appeared to be the faster team throughout the majority of the period, and Canadians' captain Nick Suzuki was able to take full advantage as the Habs would go on to take an early 2-0 lead. The Rangers were able to record just one shot on goal over the first 10 minutes of the contest and Montreal took full control of the matchup early on.
Things can quickly change however, as Mika Zibanejad was able to capitalize on the Rangers' first power play opportunity of the game and cut the deficit to 2-1. New York has struggled on the power play to begin the year but Zibanejad's goal on the first opportunity of the game is an excellent boost of momentum heading to the second.
Mika gets the Rangers on the board
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) October 18, 2025
(via @NYRangers) pic.twitter.com/QUvLA4nwPw
Second Period
The Rangers came out firing on all cylinders in the second, as Conor Sheary had an excellent scoring chance in the opening two minutes of the period. New York looked much faster to begin the second than they did in the early stages of the first period but Montreal did an excellent job with keeping the puck in the offensive zone. The Rangers had multiple scoring chances to open the period but ultimately Montreal had the edge for the majority of the first ten minutes of play.
The Rangers played a solid second period despite being unable to score. The team had a number of scoring chances over the first ten minutes of play and the defense played at a much higher level than they did in the first period. Quick played well after allowing two goals in the first as well, as the veteran stopped everything that Montreal fired his way in the second.
Both teams picked up the physicality in the second period. Sam Carrick dropped the gloves with Arber Xhekaj for the Rangers' first fight of the season, as Xhekaj appeared to target Carrick following a massive hit on Lane Hutson. The Rangers played a much better period in the second than they did in the first despite not finding the back of the net.
Third Period
New York opened the third period with 32 seconds left on the power play. The Rangers took full advantage of the opportunity as J.T. Miller was able to tie the game just 34 seconds into the action, with an Adam Fox shot that deflected off of Alexis Lafrenière and then in off Miller.
Miller was giving the goal to Laffy but i think both got and Miller was the last one to touch the puck. #NYR pic.twitter.com/ogRfcCQR49
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) October 19, 2025
The Rangers continued to apply constant pressure in the offensive zone following the goal, and rookie forward Matthew Robinson was able to drive one home on a huge one timer from the point. The goal is the first of Robinson's career as the rookie is starting to truly make an impact in the early stages of 2025.
MATTHEW ROBERTSON FOR THE LEAD!
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) October 19, 2025
He gets his first NHL goal 🔥 pic.twitter.com/A8w3Tkqvlw
The Rangers' sudden outburst of scoring did not stop there. Superstar forward Artemi Panarin was able to score his first goal of the season. All told Panarin would rack up 4 points on the night, having a hand in each Rangers goal.
Artemi Panarin tacks on another to extend the lead 👏 pic.twitter.com/AJNLN0cfyY
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) October 19, 2025
But Montreal was quick to respond as former Islander Noah Dobson found the back of the net to cut the Rangers' lead to 4-3.
That would be it for the Canadiens, however, as the Rangers were able to put together one of the most promising performances we have seen all season and ultimately left Montreal with a 4-3 win. Zibanejad and Panarin both scored in the victory as the both veterans continue to settle in to the new season. The Rangers will face the Minnesota Wild on Monday as the team will look to stay hot and keep things rolling.