Mika Zibanejad and Mats Zuccarello lead the New York Rangers to a much-needed 5-2 victory over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday.
- New York Rangers 5 (3-5-1, 7 pts)
- Florida Panthers 2 (1-3-3, 5 pts)
- NHL, East, Final, Box Score
- Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Eighteen goals in eight games. This was the New York Rangers scoring total heading into their Tuesday night matchup against the Florida Panthers.
It’s been the buzz of the current time: how to fix the Blueshirts scoring woes?
For now, let’s scratch the idea as the team roared with five tallies in an impressive 5-2 victory at Madison Square Garden.
The man who led the way was Mika Zibanejad. Zibs, the team’s bonafide No. 1 center, tallied two goals and two assists en route to No. 1 star of the night honors.
After Vincent Trocheck put the road team on the board first—late in the first period—Zibanejad hit home the equalizer at the 3:10 mark of the second period while shorthanded.
GOAL! Mika Zibanejad! A short handed goal and we are tied at 1 a piece! Assisted by Adam McQuaid. #NYRvsFLA #NYR pic.twitter.com/W9T3GQQDwl
— Rangers Report (@rangersreport) October 24, 2018
Over seven minutes later, the other Z, Mats Zuccarello, tallied his first of the season. Yes, Sam (Rosen), it was a power-play goal.
MATS ZUCCARELLO SCORES!!! ?His first goal of the season! Assisted by Pionk (5) and Zibanejad (4). pic.twitter.com/TLh7HbvvXp
— Rangers Report (@rangersreport) October 24, 2018
Speaking of both Zs, each was nowhere near being done for the night. Zibanejad added another in the second period, again on the power play, while Zuccarello shocked the MSG broadcast off the face-off just 1:27 into the third period.
Here's the Mika Zibanejad second goal. 3-1 Rangers as Zibs has 2G, 1A thus far. #NYR pic.twitter.com/ZzaKGIcYGu
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) October 24, 2018
Mats Zucccarello, how dare you surprise and shock Sam Rosen like this. His second of the night. 4-1 #NYR. pic.twitter.com/DarfHlQCZR
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) October 24, 2018
Recently rejuvenated defenseman Neal Pionk finished with two assists on the night in earning third-star honors.
Alexandar Georgiev earned the hard-fought victory after falling behind early. He looked stable all night in facing 38 total shots, stopping 36. The Rangers mustered just 22, blasting four past starter Michael Hutchinson.
Kevin Hayes added an empty-netter late to put it away. Jesper Fast could have attempted to cash in on the easy one but instead set up his center.
With a record of 3-5-1, the New York Rangers will take the show to the road for a four-game, nine-day road trip beginning with the tough Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night.
A competitive third period made this one close but #NYR held on for the 5-2 win @EliteSportsNY pic.twitter.com/zHGAePOnWD
— Dom Renna (@drennaESNY) October 24, 2018
Mika with the power play goal!! #NYR up 3-1. pic.twitter.com/iybd1qmvHI
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 24, 2018
Kevin Hayes seals the deal with an empty net goal. pic.twitter.com/WRUqiuoOdI
— Rangers Report (@rangersreport) October 24, 2018
#NYR salute! pic.twitter.com/HNjuAPrEiv
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 24, 2018
