Blue Line Station
Fansided

New York Rangers: Panarin’s star turn, other takeaways from Sharks win

By Andrew Steele-Davis

Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers and Filip Chytil #72 celebrate
Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers and Filip Chytil #72 celebrate /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
SAN JOSE, CA – DECEMBER 12: New York Rangers Center Mika Zibanejad (93) passes the puck during the NHL hockey game between the New York Rangers and San Jose Sharks on December, 12, 2019 at the SAP Center in San Jose, CA. (Photo by Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA – DECEMBER 12: New York Rangers Center Mika Zibanejad (93) passes the puck during the NHL hockey game between the New York Rangers and San Jose Sharks on December, 12, 2019 at the SAP Center in San Jose, CA. (Photo by Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Zibanejad the leader

You need your big players to come up huge in key moments and that’s exactly what Mika Zibanejad did on Thursday.

The vast majority of us think that Zibanejad is the Captain in waiting for the New York Rangers, and his play both on and off the ice this season suggests that could become a reality next summer.

But, back to the contest against the Sharks and Zibanejad had himself a big game in the offensive zone.

He potted two goals in the third period and they were both significant given that they were the tying goal and the go-ahead goal.

His first goal of the night came on the power play as the franchise center used Chris Kreider as a screen before wristing a laser past Martin Jones.

Zibanejad’s second goal was better, though, as he picked himself off the ice before wristing a hell of a shot beyond Martin Jones.

Zibanejad also led the Rangers in ice time with 22:41 and the forward now has 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists) on the year as he continues to make up for lost time following his return from injury.

Home/Analysis