Mika Zibanejad stars in impressive 4-1 win over the Senators

Something good is building for the New York Rangers.  They spoiled the Ottawa Senators home opener with a solid 4-1 win and another star performance from Mika Zibanejad.

The Rangers’  center had his second consecutive four point game, scoring an even strength, power play and shorthanded goal for a hat trick to lead the team to a resounding 4-1 road win. Artemi Panarin added his second power play goal of the season and Alexander Georgiev was good when he needed to be.  It was a great effort, just in time for a six day day layoff to take away their momentum.

Okay, let’s be frank.  They beat the Ottawa Senators, the worst team in the NHL last season and certainly headed in that direction again.  The important thing is the Rangers did what good teams are supposed to do, beat up on the bad teams.  And it is certainly looking like the Rangers are a good team.  A playoff team?  That remains to be seen, but based on the two game eye test, they will be a contender.

The Rangers got on the board at 6:04 of the first period when Zibanejad scored his first goal on the power play.  After the Jets game we described the power play as lethal and it was again.  The fivesome of ZIbanejad, Panarin, Krieder, Buchnevich and Trouba kept the puck in the offensive zone for a minute and a half and finally Zibanejad put the rebound of a Trouba shot into the net.

Brady Tkachuk knotted the score six minutes later when he deflected a Thomas Chabot laser past Georgiev.  The puck went in off Tkachuck’s skate and the Ranger goalie didn’t have a chance.  The first period ended in a 1-1 tie with the Senators outshooting the Blueshirts 10-9.

The second period was scoreless with the Blueshirts killing off an early penalty when Zibanejad took over the game and scored on one of the prettiest passing plays you will see this season.   Adam Fox headmanned the puck to Panarin who gave the puck to Zibanejad who did a give a go with Buchnevich.  It was pretty spectacular.

At 12:07 with Chris Kreider off for high sticking, ZIbanejad scored the team’s second shorthanded goal of the season.  Brendan Smith chipped the puck ahead to Zibanejad who broke in on Craig Anderson on a two on one with Lias Andersson. It sure looked like he wanted to make the pass, but ended up putting the puck by the beleaguered Senators netminder.  Hat trick, Zibanejad.

For what it’s worth, Brendan Smith has to be the league leader in shorthanded points this season.

The Senators pushed hard, but Georgiev made some very nice saves and the Rangers defense held. Georgiev robbed Connor Brown and Artem Anisimov on the penalty kill.

Despite scoring the two goals, the Rangers were outshot 10-8.   It wasn’t helped by the three minor penalties the Rangers took, but the penalty kill was clicking and no harm was done.

The Rangers wrapped up the scoring on another power play goal,  this time on a wicked snap shot by Artemi Panarin.

Overall it was a great effort.  There’s nothing like six days off to halt the momentum the team has built with these two wins.  We shall see.