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Zibanejad’s legendary night, other takeaways from Caps win

By Andrew Steele-Davis

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 05: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers scores his fifth goal of the game in overtime to defeat Ilya Samsonov #30 and the Washington Capitals 5-4 at Madison Square Garden on March 05, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 05: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers scores his fifth goal of the game in overtime to defeat Ilya Samsonov #30 and the Washington Capitals 5-4 at Madison Square Garden on March 05, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 05: Artemi Panarin #10 and Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers celebrate a 5-4 overtime victory over the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden on March 05, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

2. Double Hart

While Mika Zibanejad will steal all the headlines from Thursday’s electric contest at Madison Square Garden, and rightly so, another of the New York Rangers’ big stars also had a huge night.

Artemi Panarin, who will go down as the best bit of business of the off-season, recorded a three-point night including two primary helpers on two of Zibanejad’s five goals.

And Panarin also provided the sublime dish that split the Washington defense and led to Zibanejad lighting the lamp for the game-winner in overtime.

It was a pass that was perfectly timed, perfectly weighted and it was executed with absolute style by a superior talent who just makes playing hockey look so effortless.

In other words, this was another flash of brilliance from Panarin who has dazzled for the Blueshirts all year.

He excels with and without the puck and it has been quite some time since the Rangers had a real elite game-changer at their disposal.

Panarin also became the first Ranger to amass 60 assists since Jaromir Jagr achieved the feat in 2006-07, while the Russian stud also became the first left winger in franchise history to reach the 60-point plateau.

And this could also be the first year that the New York Rangers end up with two players in serious consideration for the Hart Trophy.

Awarded to the player most valuable to his team, both Zibanejad and Panarin would be deserving of the honor should they somehow drag the Rangers into the postseason.

After all, Panarin is now on the cusp of breaking triple digits this year with 93 points (32 goals, 61 assists) in 66 games, while Zibanejad is fifth in the NHL in goals with 38.

Both players have been instrumental to the Rangers this year and both Panarin and Zibanejad are the heartbeat of this team.

So, should this crazy thrill-ride of a season end in a return to the playoffs, it wouldn’t be surprising if both Mika Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin find themselves in the thick of the race for the Hart Trophy.

They deserve every accolade coming their way.

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